UF Student May be Among Five Slain in Iraq

GAINESVILLE, FL -- University of Florida student Jonathon Cote may be among five U.S. contractors found dead in Iraq. DNA testing has already proven the 25-year-old's finger was one of five sent to the U.S. government in early March.

The remains of Ronald Withrow of Roaring Springs, Texas, and John Roy Young of Kansas City, Mo., were positively identified on Monday. Identification of the three remaining bodies is still ongoing.

Jonathon Cote took a temporary leave from UF during the summer of 2006 and went to Iraq to work for a private contractor protecting supply convoys. The accounting major had served in the U.S. Army for four years before starting college and was once deployed to Iraq.

A friend told Cote he could make $7,000 a month working for a contractor. So Cote decided to take a job with Crescent Security and was planning on working for a few months before returning to the U.S and Gainesville this past December.

Cote's mother Lori Silveri lives in South Florida. In November, she issued a statement to Tampa Bay's 10 News that read: "Jon is a very brave and strong young man."

She went on to say: "I am hopeful that he and the others will be released unharmed and return home soon. I would also like to thank all those who have come to know Jonathon for their continued prayers, love and support at this difficult time."

For more information you may visit a web site set up by Cote's friends and family. The address is: www.freecote.com

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