John Hamen, an American contractor and army veteran who has been detained in Yemen since October, has died, officials say. He graduated from Lakota High School in 1990, said Michael Bruns, Hamen's friend, according to WCPO.
"We can confirm that U.S. citizen John Hamen died in Yemen," State Department spokesman John Kirby said, according to USA Today. "We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. State Department officials provided all possible consular assistance to the family. Out of respect for the privacy of Mr. Hamen's family, we do not have any additional details to provide."
While details surrounding Hamen's death are not completely understood, CBS News reported last week that two contractors were detained by authorities at an airport in Sanaa, Yemen's capital city, which is under the control of Shiite Houthi rebels. Yemen has become unstable due to the rift between Yemen officials and Houthi rebels. Airstrikes with the purpose of targeting Houthi rebels have ended up claiming the lives of many civilians. The United Nations is currently trying to help Yemen government officials negotiate with the rebels.
Jen Hamen, John's girlfriend, took to Facebook to grieve. "I am sorry that I was not able to call many of his friends, but his phone and laptop were with him when he was detained and I do not have any of his contacts other than [Facebook]," Jen Hamen wrote. "Our family is heartbroken right now, I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, and my 7 kids have lost the best dad ever!"
