Brent Renaud Remembered: Journalist Tagged As Fearless After Tragic Death
Brent Renaud, the first journalist to be killed while working in Ukraine, received heartfelt tributes from his friends following his tragic death.
In an exclusive report by PEOPLE, Renaud's friends showered him with only the kindest of words as they remembered his life as an ordinary person, journalist, and filmmaker.
Documentary producer and director of photography, Stephen Bailey, said that Renaud spent his whole life sharing the wonderful secrets of humans. He added that the late journalist was able to see that beauty and strength that he always shared in every story he published.
Bailey added that Renaud ensured he showed what was true by using his "uncanny ability" in blending in so he could have access to places that should be off-limits.
With that, the producer acknowledged his colleague's efforts in speaking to everyone through his lens and words.
"We would be in really scary situations and Brent would always be able to remain so present with whoever we were with and give them his undivided attention and put his own thoughts and feelings aside to hear their story. He had that presence that really opened the door for people to share their truths," Bailey went on.
Brent Renaud Had Unmatched Gift
Meanwhile, independent journalist and filmmaker, Christof Putzel, called Renaud a brave person who was committed to the truth. He said that the late filmmaker had a magical way of listening to people that would make them want to pour their hearts out.
If those people never wanted to open up to anyone, they would - in a second - with Renaud.
Putzel added that this gift made Renaud "without question the best documentary filmmaker of our era, the best war journalist of our era, the most empathetic and courageous, ballsy individual you could ever hope to meet."
He last spoke with Renaud a day before he left for Ukraine to work on a project about the global refugee crisis for TIME Studios.
A Sky News Team, as reported by CNN, released hair-raising footage showing the journalists getting ambushed violently. Nebytov also shared a graphic photo on Facebook showing Renaud's body, including his American passport and The New York Times' media credentials.
Renaud's death was followed by the passing of Pierre Zakrzewski and Fox News' freelance consultant, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, who were both killed following an attack near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
