Detained Osama Bin Laden Hunter Gary Faulkner 'on His Way Home'
Family: Gary Faulkner is being released from Pakistan jail.
June 22, 2010 — -- Gary Brooks Faulkner, the American man who was on a lone wolf mission to kill Osama bin Laden before he was detained in Pakistan, is "on his way home," the man's family told ABC News.
Faulkner, 51, a construction worker who lived in Greeley, Colorado, was arrested June 13 attempting to cross into Afghanistan in the mountainous region of northern Pakistan. He was armed with a pistol, sword, night vision goggles, a map and was reportedly carrying Christian literature.
When he was arrested, Faulkner told police he was intent on avenging the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks by killing bin Laden.
"He said he was being released. He's on his way home," said Dr. Scott Faulkner, who spoke with his brother Gary today. "He said he was treated well but he can't wait to get back to the good ol' U.S. of A.
"Apparently, he did not have access to television, radio, or newsprint," Scott Faulkner said. "And so, he said that he would let me know when he would be coming home. But, it sounded like it was imminent."
During Faulkner's detention, his family worried about his health due to a failing kidney that required dialysis treatment. When American officials visited Faulkner with a doctor Islamabad, Pakistan, they said he was in "good spirits" but needed dialysis, according to the family.
Scott Faulkner told ABC News Monday that his brother recieved the treatment.
The family is "tickled" he's on his way back, Faulkner's brother-in-law John Martin said.
"The family welcomes him. We'll give him a hug and go from there," he said.
The State Department did not confirm Faulkner's release.
Martin said Faulkner talked openly with the family about his plans to hunt down the al Qaeda leader.
"He's a very deeply religious individual, very patriotic," Martin said on June 15. "It seemed to be his thing. He thought it should be done and he thought he could accomplish it."
Bin Laden has evaded one of the largest international manhunts in history and remains on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.
