Beloved pro-life photojournalist Mark Story passed away on July 17, 2024, following a heart attack. News of his death sent shockwaves through the pro-life community, which spoke of his kind heart and dedication to the pro-life cause. He had worked closely with Live Action and with other pro-life organizations and individuals, and was the photographer who captured the tragic images of the “D.C Five” — the five babies of extremely late gestational age found by pro-life activists in a medical waste bin obtained from a medical waste hauler who had picked up the remains from an abortion business in Washington, D.C., in 2022.
His father, Roger Story, and mother, Lin Cutrona Story, shared on Facebook, “It is with profound, deepest sorrow that my wife Lin, our daughter Shari Gaeta and I announce that our nationally famed prolife photographer son, Mark David Story, suddenly went to be with the Lord he loved and served last evening with an apparent massive heart attack as he was returning from his daily evening prayer walk. Mark was a true man of God and left an incredible legacy.”
Following news of Mark’s death, tributes poured in across social media platforms.
“Deeply saddened to learn that Mark Story tragically passed away suddenly last night from a heart attack after his evening prayer walk,” wrote Live Action founder and president Lila Rose on X. “He passionately served the pro-life movement for the last five years, exposing millions to the truth about abortion through his creative photographer. His incredible talent, and gentle spirit of joy and service, touched everyone who was blessed to work with him. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Mark.”
Deeply saddened to learn that Mark Story tragically passed away suddenly last night from a heart attack after his evening prayer walk
He passionately served the pro-life movement for the last five years, exposing millions to the truth about abortion through his creative… pic.twitter.com/Kp8LU182cP
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) July 18, 2024
Dr. Michael New, a Catholic professor and researcher, wrote, “I regret to inform you all that Mark Story passed away. Mark was a professional photographer. He took many high quality photos of pro-life events and rallies. He was a great ally in our efforts to build a culture of life.”
Mark Lee Dickson, founder of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn, wrote, “I’ve said it more than once that the greatest heroes of the pro-life movement are ones whose names and faces are not the most well-known in this world. Mark Story was one of those heroes. Mark was known by many as the Photographer of the Pro-Life Movement. … God, thank you again for the joy Mark brought to so many of our lives. He will not be forgotten.”
The organization, Voices for Life, wrote, “Today the pro-life community mourns the loss of Mark Story. He died last night of a heart attack. He has captured many pro-life messages through his talent as a photographer particularly with Live Action. Join us in praying for the repose of his soul and for his family.”
Pro-life organization Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust wrote on Facebook, “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Mark Story. If you’ve ever been to a prolife event in DC you will have seen him behind his camera capturing the world. You are so loved. You will be missed brother. Rest in Peace.”
Pro-life speaker and author Toni McFadden shared on her Facebook page, “So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of my friend @markstoryphotos. Not only did he have an amazing gift of capturing breathtaking photos but he had a clear mission of promoting life and protecting life in the womb. I had the privilege of having Mark photograph the cover of my book, ‘Redeemed: My Journey after Abortion.’ I am so thankful to have gotten to know him. I know without a doubt he is rejoicing with Jesus
Well done, my friend!”
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Mark also worked closely with the group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU) and was sought out to take photos when members of the group discovered the bodies of babies who had been aborted and thrown into a medical waste box — including five babies who were killed late in pregnancy in 2022.
Mark took the heartbreaking images of the babies as they were pulled from a medical waste box.
“We’re heartbroken to share our dear friend Mark Story suddenly and unexpectedly passed away last night from a heart attack. Mark was a brilliant photographer and a fierce fighter for life, as well as an unwavering friend,” PAAU wrote on Facebook. “We are honored to have worked alongside him in the pro-life movement. Mark’s work and love for others will not be forgotten. He will be sorely missed but always remembered and cherished.”
The group shared a video of Mark speaking about the five babies. In it, he said, “I took a picture of a foot in the bucket. It was a very telling picture, powerful picture, but it was just representative of what was to come. And then Lauren [Handy] pulled out Christopher X and held him in her hands. And at that moment, it was a very morbid moment, it was very grotesque, but I felt that God was telling me, ‘This is a celebration. These children have been found and now are being heard, their stories being told all over the world, otherwise, they would have been in the trash.'” Mark thanked PAAU for allowing him to be the one to photograph the precious children and help give them a voice. His photos revealed their humanity to the world.
One commenter to the post from PAAU stated, “God bless him, and may he now meet little Christopher X, Holly, Angel, Harriet, and Phoenix.”
Author’s Note: Many of Mark’s photos can be viewed here and here. Mark and his sister started a GoFundMe to raise money for his father’s cancer treatment. Those interested may donate here. According to the GoFundMe page, “Our parents, Roger and Lin, have served in ministry for over 50 years, both locally and abroad. They have served almost 35 years in Washington, DC as missionaries, serving in miraculous ways to our country with the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
