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Reporter: Shiite group says Marine Col. William Higgins is dead; another hostage shown in Beirut newspaper
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Summary
A news presenter said a radical Shiite group claimed Marine Col. William Higgins, abducted in February 1988, is dead and that a photo of American hostage James Cicipio (kidnapped 09/12/1986) appeared in a Beirut newspaper; the holding group reportedly said Cicipio "will die."
A reporter said a radical Shiite group that has held U.S. hostages claimed Marine Col. William Higgins is dead. The reporter said Higgins was abducted in February 1988 and that the group now holding him has "claimed that Higgins is dead."
The broadcast also reported that a Beirut newspaper published a picture of another American hostage, James Cicipio, who was kidnapped on 09/12/1986. According to the reporter, the group holding Cicipio "says that he will die."
The broadcast did not identify the holding group by a full organizational name in the transcript provided, nor did the reporter supply independent confirmation of Higgins's death or of the circumstances of Cicipio's condition. The statements were presented as claims made by the group holding the hostages.
Background details given in the report: Higgins was described as a Marine colonel serving in the Middle East when he was abducted in February 1988; Cicipio was described as kidnapped on 09/12/1986. The program did not provide on-air attribution to a government agency or an independent source for those dates and assertions.
The broadcast did not outline any immediate diplomatic or Department of State action in response in the transcript provided. It also did not identify family statements or independent verification of the hostages' status. The report therefore leaves open whether U.S. officials have corroborated the claims. The presenter did not offer further procedural steps or an official response during the segments aired.
