5 years ago
MARIETTA, GA (AP) -- The widow of a hostage who was slain in Iraq says the couple knew the risk of taking the job in Iraq but saw it as a way to help solve financial problems.
Jack Hensley was working as a civil engineer in Iraq when he was taken hostage with two co-workers last month. All three were later killed by their captors.
Hensley's wife, Pati Hensley, told The Atlanta Journal Constitution that the couple had been having a hard time making ends meet.
She says Jack Hensley liked his work in Iraq, where he coordinated projects to rebuild water systems, power grids, schools and museums.
Both she and her husband were experienced international contract workers. Neither expected Jack Hensley would get caught up in the increasing violence aimed at Westerners in Iraq. But Hensley -- along with fellow American Jack Armstrong and British engineer Kenneth Bigley -- was kidnapped September 16th from their Baghdad villa.
A terrorist group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility.
Associated Press