U.S. diplomat missing for 4 days found dead in Cyprus, embassy says

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) -- A senior American diplomat who disappeared four days ago with his car was found dead Monday on Cyprus in a rural area outside the capital, officials said.

Thomas Mooney had served as military attache in Cyprus since June 2006. The cause of his death is being investigated, U.S. Ambassador Ronald Schlicher said.

Mooney, 45, who was married with children, disappeared with his car -- a black Chevrolet Impala -- on Thursday. Cyprus Police Chief Iakovos Papacostas said the body was found about 150 yards from the car in the rural Lefka area, around 30 miles west of the capital, Nicosia

The police chief gave no indication of whether police suspected foul play, or of how the man might have died.

He told The Associated Press the car was spotted Sunday by a man training dogs.

Schlicher said the embassy was canceling an Independence Day reception scheduled for late Monday, "in light of these sad circumstances."

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