Body of U.S. hostage in Saudi not found

Big News Network | June 19 2004

Saudi Arabia said Saturday the body of a U.S. hostage who was beheaded by suspected al-Qaida terrorists in Riyadh has not yet been found.

Saudi Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz said the body of Paul Johnson Jr., who was beheaded by his abductors Friday night, was still missing Saturday.

He made his comments following prayers at a mosque for a Saudi security officer who died during an exchange of gunfire with the terrorists. The battle took the lives of four of the terrorists involved in Johnson's kidnapping and murder.

Among those killed was the main al-Qaida operative in the kingdom, Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin.

Salman said the killing of the four suspected terrorists and the capture of 12 others was a security achievement and an important step towards wiping out this corrupt gang.