Bodies of Southern California couple killed by pirates now aboard U.S. aircraft carrier
The bodies of four Americans -- including a yachting couple from California -- have been taken on board the U.S. carrier Enterprise. They were killed Tuesday morning by pirates who had hijacked their vessel and taken them hostage.
Four U.S. Navy ships had been shadowing the couple's yacht after it was taken over by the pirates last week off the coast of Oman. Pirates had said it was headed to Somalia. While negotiations were underway to gain the release of the Americans, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the Quest. The four Americans had been shot.
According to the U.S. military, the Enterprise is now off the Horn of Africa.
For nearly a decade, Scott and Jean Adam's home had been the 58-foot custom-made sloop the Quest. Although they docked every so often in Marina del Rey to pick up mail and see friends, the couple spent most of their time sailing to far-flung locales such as the Galapagos Islands, Tahiti and New Zealand.
Posting photos and information on their website, they raved about their travels aboard the Quest. "We've decided to ... explore Fiji like petals on a flower," they wrote about their 2007 trip to the South Pacific.
Now, "This is all of our worst nightmares," said Scott Stolnitz, a friend of the couple.
Stolnitz, who with his wife also sails around the world, said he and Scott Adam had previously discussed the dangers of piracy when navigating the Arabian and Red seas.
The couple, however, apparently decided to break off from the Blue Water Rally, which organized and supported the group of boats headed toward the Mediterranean.
"We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest," said Marine Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of Central Command.
Four U.S. Navy ships had been shadowing the Quest after it was taken over by the pirates, Mattis said. While negotiations were underway to gain the release of the Americans, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the Quest. The four Americans had been shot, Mattis said.
Two of the pirates were killed by U.S. forces and 13 captured, Mattis said. After boarding the Quest, military personnel found the bodies of two other pirates. The incident occurred about 1 a.m. EST.
RELATED:Four American hostages killed by Somali pirates during rescue attempt
O.C. yachting couple among hundreds held by Somalia pirates, official says-- Tony Perry and Corina Knoll
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Somalia would make such a nice parking lot.
Posted by: Donald Pennington | February 22, 2011 at 07:28 AM
Why bring back prisoners??!!!!!
Posted by: juan cuba | February 22, 2011 at 07:30 AM
what ever happened to the goverment protecting its citizens?
years ago this would have meant war on pirates, drug gangs in mexico kill our citizens, what are we afraid of?
Posted by: lowrider | February 22, 2011 at 07:38 AM
what ever happened to the goverment protecting its citizens?
years ago this would have meant war on pirates, drug gangs in mexico kill our citizens, what are we afraid of?
Posted by: lowrider | February 22, 2011 at 07:38 AM
it seems more realistic that the pirates wouldnt kill the hostages if negotiations were underway UNLESS we're getting a bogus story from the military and what really happened was their tactical team attacked causing the pirates to execute the prisoners. will be interested to learn the details of their deaths.
Posted by: mike | February 22, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Don't bring the pirates back here. there are plenty of hungry sharks over near west africa. Just chum them up and feed the pirates to them.
Posted by: AdoptiveFather, Los Angeles CA | February 22, 2011 at 07:55 AM
What's wrong with making them walk the plank?
Posted by: Rob | February 22, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Hang the Pirates like they used to do during the 18th century!
Posted by: MADEINUSA | February 22, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Those SEALs should have taken out all of them. You don't kill American civilians, period. We need to send a message. Kill them all.
Posted by: maecus | February 22, 2011 at 09:31 AM
We Americans are currently the most inviting targets.Are we supposed to die just because we are Americans ? Because of past grievances or just plain hatred? When a "Superpower " tip toes around on "Apology Tours" such as those initiated by Carter,Clinton & Obama-this is the inevitable result.
Posted by: EKJUnction | February 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I guess Obozo gave the order not to kill his peeps...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | February 22, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Not saying they brought this on themselves (not at all) however no private sailing vessel regardless of nationality or flag should be operating anywhere near that part of the world...its simply asking for trouble...then when it finds you we expect the govt to bail us out. Play it safe..go sail in the south pacific !!! Sincerest condolences to family/friends etc.
Posted by: Mike S | February 22, 2011 at 01:28 PM
We need to issue an immediate death sentence for the pirates involved in the killing. They do not need to come back to US soil where we have a tax payer defense. We should dump there bodies off shore so that the tide can wash them up on their pristine shore. Maybe this will send them a message.
Posted by: Nigel J Clift | February 22, 2011 at 01:28 PM
My mom and stepdad are also on a boat sailing around the world. They left about 15 years ago and they are in their 80's. They tell me they are safe because "we have a gun". I also think mom thinks if she fixes them all sandwiches, maybe they will go away. I am worried, but what can I do? I have not seen them for 15 years, and I think I will never see them again anyway. It upsets me, but I feel so helpless.
Posted by: CJJP | February 22, 2011 at 03:11 PM
It's a well known fact that these pirates use rocket grenades and AK-47's in their attacks. If you're fairly intelligent and keep up with the news, you should know that because piracy in this part of the world has been rampant for at least the last 20 years. That said, why would anyone sail across these waters? We all have choices and have nobody to fault but ourselves.
Posted by: nelsondaze | February 22, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Sometimes the only way to get the bad guy's attention is by being badder than they are. Right now those Somali cowards think that we are just a toothless tiger and that there is relatively nothing for them to worry about from us. The US in many cases lets the rest of the world push us around and do little in the way of a real response. Please, please, please let this be the time that we go in and kick some ass. Please God.
Posted by: Atlanta Roofing | February 22, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Our CIC should authorize our Special Operations Forces to grant "No Quarter " in these situations.Why would the Boxer / Pelosi cabal extol Russia's Airborne Commandos (Spetznaz) in Chechnya but bind the hands of our fearless professionals - the Seals & SOF /Delta ? If this is a street fight -then I want the best to sort it all out.
Posted by: EKJunction | February 23, 2011 at 12:29 PM
What a sad ending! Only if they had stayed with the rally of boats. Isn't there another route that can be taken? I think I'd stop at India and turn around, not worth it.
Posted by: John | February 23, 2011 at 03:34 PM