Body Of Soldier Found In Euphrates River In Iraq Is That Of California Man, Family Says

Wednesday, May 23rd 2007, 8:24 pm

By: News On 6

TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) _ The body of a U.S. soldier found in the Euphrates River in Iraq was identified Wednesday as a California man who was abducted with two comrades a week and a half ago, a relative said.

Military officials told the family of Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr. of Torrance that a commanding officer identified the body, but that DNA tests were still pending.

``They told us, 'We're sorry to inform you the body we found has been identified as Joe,''' said the soldier's aunt, Debbie Anzack. ``I'm in disbelief.''

Anzack, 20, was one of three soldiers who vanished after their combat team was ambushed May 12 about 20 miles outside of Baghdad. Five others, including an Iraqi, were killed in the ambush, subsequently claimed by al-Qaida.