US hostage found dead in Iraq

Tom Fox in video footage released in December.

WASHINGTON - Tom Fox, an American taken hostage along with Auckland student Harmeet Sooden in Iraq, has been found dead.

The US State Department confirmed this afternoon that his body had been found.

Mr Fox was one of four Christian activists, including Mr Sooden, captured last year.

"The FBI has identified the identity of the body of Tom Fox," said State Department spokesman Noel Clay. "The family has been notified and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family."

A video was broadcast last week showing Mr Sooden, who is a Canadian citizen, fellow Canadian James Loney and Briton Norman Kember.

Mr Fox was not shown in the video, raising fears he had been killed.

There was no word today on the fate of the other three hostages.

- REUTERS, HERALD ONLINE STAFF