The U.S. defense attache in Cyprus who went missing with his car since last Thursday was officially confirmed dead on Monday by the U.S. embassy in the country.

"After the notification of next of kin, with deep sadness, I announce that lieutenant colonel Thomas Mooney, who served his nation with distinction as our defense attache, was found dead by Cypriot authorities on Monday," U.S. Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher said in a statement.

Mooney's body was found by local police in a mountainous area of the island state.

Schlicher said the cause of the defense attache's death is being investigated.

The U.S. embassy had appealed to the public over the last weekend to help locate the missing diplomat. Local media reported that Mooney's body was first spotted by a Cypriot man, who later informed the police.

A Chevrolet Impala car that matched Mooney's was also found nearby in the Lefka area, some 45 km west of Nicosia.

Cyprus is considered as a safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Attacks on foreign diplomats are rare.

The Cypriot government spokesman, Vassilis Palmas, has assured that all possibilities concerning the incident will be looked into.

The U.S. embassy also canceled the Independence Day reception scheduled for Monday evening.

Source: Xinhua