MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (Oct. 11, 2010) — At the request of Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commander U.S. Forces Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. James N. Mattis has appointed U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Special Operations Command, to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of British national Linda Norgrove. The investigation team will work in close cooperation with U.K. authorities.
Ms. Norgrove, an aid worker, was kidnapped by insurgents Sept. 26 and held in captivity in Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan. She died during rescue operations by U.S. forces on Oct. 8.