Edmund Horman

Edmund C. Horman (April 15, 1906 – April 16, 1993)[1] was an American businessman who flew to Chile in 1973 in search of his son, Charles Horman, knowing that soldiers had seized him, but unaware that he had been shot dead by the Chilean military forces under General Augusto Pinochet, during their coup against President Salvador Allende.[2][3][4]

Biography

Horman was born in Manhattan,[2] and had studied at Columbia University.[5] Horman worked in engineering and industrial design and owned Jersey Industrial Trucks.[2][5][6] He was married to Elizabeth Lazar from 1940 until his death.[2][5] Horman was also the father-in-law of Joyce Horman.[2][5] Horman died of pneumonia at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital[2][5] on 16 April, 1993.[1] He was 87.[7]

Search for Charles Horman

Horman's search for his son, Charles, was depicted in Thomas Hauser's 1979 book The Execution of Charles Horman: An American Sacrifice, which was then adapted into the 1982 Academy Award-winning Costa Gavras film, Missing, in which Horman was portrayed by Jack Lemmon.[8]

After forcefully overthrowing the duly-elected socialist government of Dr. Salvador Allende Gossens, the military rounded up thousand of suspected enemies and prisoners of the Pinochet coup, and confined them at the National Stadium in Santiago.

During his search, Horman was able to gain entry to the stadium. Through a bullhorn, the senior Horman called out; "Charles Horman, I hope you are out there. This is your father speaking. If you hear me, please - come forward. You have nothing to fear."

There was no response. By this time, Charles had already been dead for 3 weeks, Horman would later learn.[2][5][7]

Horman's frustration in dealing with United States authorities, grew, after finding out they had failed to try and protect Charles, after they'd learned of his arrest, and Horman accused them of covering up their failure to do anything.[2][5][6]

Horman turned the anguish and tragedy of losing his son into a crusade for human-rights issues. Horman testified at hearings, and spoke to conferences in both the United States and internationally. "I'm not interested in revenge," Horman said. "What can revenge do? I don't want this to happen to any American citizens, again."[2][8][5]

References
  1. "* Dr. Alois M. Nagler, 85, a scholar of theater history..." The Baltimore Sun. 3 May 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  2. Lambert, Bruce (19 April 1993). "Edmund Horman, 87, Is Dead; His Hunt for Son Inspired Movie". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. "Edmund Horman". Variety. 20 April 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  4. "Edmund C. Horman, 87". Sun-Sentinel. 20 April 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  5. Lambert, Bruce (19 April 1993). "Edmund Horman, 87: Search for son after coup inspired film 'Missing'". The Day. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  6. "Edmund Horman - Inspired The Movie 'Missing'". Orlando Sentinel. 19 April 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  7. "Father Portrayed In Film `Missing'". Chicago Tribune. 19 April 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  8. "Edmund Horman; Son's Death in Chile Led to Rights Crusade". Los Angeles Times. 20 April 1993. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
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