While working as a private security guard in Iraq, Jonathon Cote was kidnapped in November 2006, along with John Roy Young, Joshua Munns, Paul Reuben, and Bert Nussbaumer. A month after the kidnapping, Jonathon was seen in a video, stating: "I'm Jonathon Cote, I'm from Buffalo, New York, I'm being treated well. I can't be released until the prisoners from the American jails and the British jails are released." His family was reassured about his condition in early March 2008, when it was reported one of Jonathon's fingers had been sent to U.S. officials in Iraq. Family members were actually encouraged by the find, as it indicated that the men may still be alive. On March 25, 2008, three bodies were recovered, but none have been identified as of yet. John Roy Young, as well as Ronald Withrow, who was kidnapped at a later date, were found dead on March 21, 2008.
Fast Facts:
- Age: 25
- Hometown: Getzville, NY
- Attended Williamsville North High School
- Was attending the University of Florida
- Served for four years with the 82nd Airborne Division
- Worked for the Crescent Security Group
- Providing security for a convoy of 43 trucks when kidnapped
Jonathon Cote News
- Official Site: Free Jonathon Cote!
- MySpace: Free Cote
- Topix.net: Jonathon Cote
- Google News: Jonathon Cote
- FOXNews.com: Family of Missing Contractor Say Body Found in Iraq May Be Him
- (April 20, 2008)
- The Associated Press: Officials Await IDs on 3 Iraq Bodies (March 25, 2008)
- The Buffalo News: Three more bodies found in Iraq, raising fears for Cote family (March 25, 2008)
- "A family member of Cote told The Buffalo News that the family has been told that the remains of three bodies were found, and the family is awaiting the results of tests to determine their identities."
- WJXX (Jacksonville, FL): UF Student May be Among Five Slain in Iraq (March 25, 2008)
- The New York Times: Families of Iraq Captives Cling to a Grisly Find (March 22, 2008)
- WIVB (Buffalo, NY): Horrifying Developments in Search for Jonathon Cote (March 14, 2008)
- The Australian: Severed Fingers Sent to Us in Iraq (March 14, 2008)
- WashingtonPost.com: Five Severed Fingers Identified ... in Iraq (March 13, 2008)
- ABC News: Severed Fingers Reportedly Sent to US (March 13, 2008)
Jonathon Cote Blogs and Commentaries
YouTube Video: Free Cote (Time: 3:59)
Google Blog Search: Jonathon Cote
Free Cote: Two Bodies Identified at Dover and Family Members Notified (March 24, 2008)
- Jonathon Cote is currently a stub, a brief collection of the best links for this story. The page will be updated as we find more information.
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