Somali Pirates Shoot Former O.C. Couple Dead

A Southland couple who were kidnapped last week by Somali pirates who seized their yacht in the Indian Ocean have been killed by their captors, who also killed two other American hostages, it was reported today.

Jean and Scott Adam, former residents of Newport Beach, were fatally shot late Monday aboard their 58-foot sailboat Quest off the coast of Somalia, authorities said.

Two of the pirates were killed, and 13 were captured during a rescue attempt, according to various news reports. Also killed were Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle of Seattle.

The Adams, a retired couple, had been sailing around the world for more  than seven years in their yacht. According to the couple's website, they had been traveling around the world distributing Bibles.

Four Navy ships had been following the Quest after it was seized by the pirates, and negotiations had been under way for the release of the hostages when the talks apparently broke down.