SALT LAKE CITY, UT. (THECOUNT) — Laurie Holt, the mother of Josh Holt, the former Utah missionary who made headlines after he was captured and held prisoner in Venezuela for years, has died, according to family members.

Laurie Holt’s Facebook page made the sad announcement:

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“We are devastated to announce the tragic passing of our sweet Mama Bear Laurie Holt this morning,” the Facebook post says. “She had a gigantic heart and we will miss her dearly. We ask for privacy as we mourn her passing and will provide more details on funeral arrangements as soon as possible.” source.

Her cause of death was not provided with family.

Joshua Holt, a former missionary from Utah, traveled to Venezuela on June 11, 2016, to marry a woman and take her and her two girls back to the United States when he was captured. He was released in May 2018.