Family's vigil ends with confirmation of Redding-born contractor's death in Iraq

ANDERSON – The families of six men kidnapped in Iraq have endured each excruciating development: a video of the men pleading for the United States to leave Iraq, their fingers delivered to U.S. officials. And, finally, news of four deaths.

The 16-month ordeal came to an end Thursday for those hoping and praying for Redding native Joshua Mark Munns, 25, one of two security contractors found dead late last week, according to FBI officials in Washington.

Confirmation of the deaths of Munns and Paul Reuben of Minneapolis came just days after the FBI announced the discovery of two other kidnapped contractors' bodies. Two men remain missing.

The news of Munns' death did not shock his mother, who learned Sunday night of the other men's demise.

"I felt relief for him because it's over," said Jackie Stewart of Ridgefield, Wash. "I finally have an answer. He's at peace, and he's not scared anymore."

Munns' mother was reached by cell phone in Minneapolis, where she plans to spend time with Reuben's family.

Reuben's twin brother, Patrick, reached at his Minneapolis home, said he and his wife were mourning and caring for their young children.

"It's a huge letdown," Patrick Reuben said. "I prepared myself for this for 16 months, but I thought for sure these guys could pull through this because they're all so talented."

On Monday, FBI officials announced the discovery of two other kidnapped security contractors: John Roy Young of Kansas City, Mo., who was kidnapped along with Munns, and Ronald Withrow of Roaring Spring, Texas, who was abducted in early 2007.

Munns, Young and Reuben were kidnapped Nov. 16, 2006, while escorting a convoy of Italian military officials in southern Iraq. A third unidentified victim was discovered as well, officials said Thursday.

Two men also abducted Nov. 16, 2006, remain unaccounted for: Bert Nussbaumer of Vienna, Austria, and Jonathon Cote of Getzville, N.Y., whose family maintains that he is not the unidentified victim.

FBI spokesman Rich Kolko said Thursday that Munns' and Reuben's bodies were found in southern Iraq. He declined to comment on the condition or exact location of the bodies but said FBI agents and an interagency group were seeking the assailants.

"We won't quit working this case," Kolko said. "It's a horrible tragedy for the families, for these men, and the FBI is dedicated to keeping on the investigation until we can identify, locate and apprehend those responsible."

The day of the kidnapping, Munns acted as a sniper in a lookout car escorting a 37-vehicle convoy across the southern Iraq desert, according to an account written by a former Crescent Security employee who fled the captors.

Stewart said Crescent Security provided the account to one hostage's family.

The convoy was ambushed by militia members dressed as police and toting AK-47s.

The men pushed the contractors' faces into the sand, screaming, "You are going to die, (expletive)."

The men were not heard from until two videos were delivered to news organizations in December 2006 and January 2007.

In one video, Munns delivers a deadpan account of his condition and asks that the United States pull out of Iraq.

News in the case broke again earlier this month. U.S. officials in Iraq confirmed that the severed fingers of five men had been delivered to them.

Some families of the men saw the development as proof of life, a sign of hope: "I do feel in my heart they're all alive," Munns' father, Mark Munns of Redding, said two weeks ago.

Kolko would not say whether the men were alive when the fingers were severed.

In Munns' hometown of Anderson, word of his death spread quickly in the town of less than 11,000 off Interstate 5, about 10 miles south of Redding.

U.S. Marine Corps and American flags waved from the porch of the ranch house where Munns grew up.

Munns joined the Marine Corps in 2001, was sent to Iraq and returned from his tour as a sniper in Iraq in 2005.

Matt Munns, Joshua Munns' uncle, said he couldn't comment other than to say he hoped those who killed his nephew would be brought to justice.

At the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall across town, Quartermaster Sam Frost said Munns' father came in two weeks ago to see if the post could help find his son.

Frost said the national VFW office had been trying to enlist well-connected Arabic speakers in the Middle East to negotiate Munns' release – until they learned of his death.

"It's just such a sad thing," Frost said. "We thought we had a chance."

Anderson Mayor Butch Schafer said the town would be flying flags at half-staff next week in honor of Joshua Munns. "Our hearts go out to the family," he said.

Mourning is just starting for Munns' mother. She said she will be able to get through the arrangements before the real mourning begins.

"In about two and a half weeks, I'll fall apart," she said.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Christina Jewett, (916) 321-1201. Jewett reported from Sacramento, Milbourn from Redding and Anderson. The Associated Press contributed to this report.