FBI Recovers 2 US Contractors in Iraq

4 others still missing after severed fingers put focus on hunt
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 24, 2008 6:28 PM CDT
FBI Recovers 2 US Contractors in Iraq
Severed fingers of five kidnapped contractors including Bert Nussbaumer, pictured here, were recently sent to the U.S. military in Iraq. Today, the FBI recovered the remains of two of them.   (AP Photo/Via AP Television)

The FBI said today it has the bodies of two US contractors who were kidnapped in Iraq, the AP reports. John Roy Young, a security worker, and Ronald Withrow, employed by an IT firm, were two of six contractors kidnapped in Iraq over the past 2 years. Journalists shone attention on the missing Americans last month after their severed fingers were sent to US commanders in Iraq.

"You just can't really be prepared for any news like that, especially when you had hope that your son is alive," Withrow's mother said, adding, "I know he's safe from all harm now. We're bringing him home. That was what our main concern was." Young's mother confirmed that the FBI contacted her, but said she was told not to comment. The search for four other contractors is still underway. (More contractors stories.)

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