2 of 4 US Citizens Kidnapped in Mexico Found Dead, 2 Others Found Alive

Two of the four U.S. citizens kidnapped in Mexico this week have been found dead, and the other two were found alive, according to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

The Details: The FBI was searching for four Americans who were shot at and kidnapped after crossing the border into Matamoros, Tamaulipas, on Friday, an area home to warring factions of a drug cartel. One member of the group was reportedly seeking a budget cosmetic procedure in Mexico when they were pinned down in a cartel gun battle before being kidnapped. The FBI had offered a $50,000 reward for the safe return of the victims and capture of perpetrators.

Key Quote: "Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen shot the passengers of the vehicle," a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City read. "The gunmen herded the four U.S. citizens into another vehicle and fled the scene with them."

For Context: The U.S. State Department advises against traveling to Tamaulipas and six other Mexican states due to the risk of kidnapping and crime. 

How the Media Covered it: The kidnappings were covered by sources across the political spectrum, with media outlets on the left and right noting the reports of recent shootings in Matamoros. Updated 3/7/23 at 12:07 p.m. ET with statement from Obrador.