THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN UPDATED: The Mexican government has now confirmed that two of those kidnapped have been found dead. The bodies of those murdered have been identified by name and can be read at the link in blue. Another American is still alive, but in critical condition. One remains unharmed.
The bodies of the two murdered citizens will be examined by Mexican authorities. After a coroner in Mexico completes a forensic examination to determine the cause of death, the remains are expected to be repatriated back to the US, the source said.
The mother of 28 year old Myrtle Beach resident Zindell Brown went public after her son was kidnapped in Mexico.
“No news is good news,” said Zolandria Brown.
The kidnapping happened in Matamoros, which is just 12 minutes from the border town of Brownsville, Texas.
The Americans crossed the border in a minivan and then got caught up in a shoot out with what the U.S. government suspects were members of a drug cartel.
CBS NATIONAL REPORTS ON KIDNAPPING (warning graphic)
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the return of the victims and any information on the culprits.
The FBI believe the four were possibly mistakenly targeted and kidnapped by accident.
The Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, says the four crossed the border to purchase discount medicine as thousands of Americans do each year.
Matamoros is at a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory for American citizens.
This is the same travel designation given to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria.
Factions of the warring drug cartel has been operating in Matamoros for decades.
Latavia “Tay” McGee, Shaeed Woodard, Zindell Brown and Eric James Williams have been identified as the US citizens kidnapped in Mexico