The beheaded journalist's employers pleaded for mercy from militants after a "vitriolic" email threatening his murder.
09:26, UK,
Thursday 21 August 2014
A "rage-filled" email was sent to the family of murdered US journalist James Foley days before his death, it has emerged.
The email stated the kidnappers were furious at US airstrikes against Islamic State militants and implied the journalist would die in revenge.
The "vitriolic" threat was revealed by Mr Foley's media employers amid claims the kidnappers had initially requested "multi-million-dollar ransom for his release".
The New York Times made the claim after speaking to a representative of Mr Foley's family and a former hostage held alongside him.
It has been claimed IS demanded a multi-million dollar ransom for Mr Foley
Referring to the email, Philip Balboni, President of the Global Post news website, said the organisation responded by "pleading with them for mercy".
"On Wednesday night last week the Foley family received an email from the kidnappers that was full of rage against the United States bombing and they stated that they would execute Jim.
"Obviously, we hoped and prayed that that would not be the case.
"We communicated as quickly as we could, with the captors; pleaded with them for mercy.
"The message was vitriolic and filled with rage against the United States. It was deadly serious."
Mr Balboni said the Global Post spent millions of dollars on efforts to bring Mr Foley home, including hiring experts from an international security firm.
Mr Foley's parents have not spoken about attempts to rescue their son, who was held captive for two years before he was beheaded, but in an emotional statement said they knew he was now "in heaven".
John Foley, standing next to his wife Diane at their home in Rochester, New Hampshire, said: "It's difficult to find solace at this point in time, but Jim is free. We know he's in God's hands and ... we know he's in heaven.
"We're so proud of him. We have to be happy for him. We need the courage and the prayers to continue without him, because he was an inspiration for us and for so many others.
"We miss his courage and his love and his determination. His laugh. His smile."
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