Jack Laurence

Both Americans were beheaded within days, while Bigley was held longer, appearing in videos, chained in a cage, pleading for his life, begging then Prime Minister Tony Blair to save him.

His family mounted desperate appeals.

Muslim leaders called for his release, but none of that mattered.

In October 2004, he too was killed, and his body never recovered.

Just weeks after Bigley's murder came Margaret Hassan, an Irish-born aid worker who'd lived in Iraq for 30 years.

Married to an Iraqi, spoke fluent Arabic, she dedicated her life to helping Iraqi civilians.

Working with Care International, bringing medicine to children, rebuilding hospitals, she was beloved by the Iraqi people.

Hundreds of them took to the streets demanding her release.

Even prominent insurgent groups condemned her kidnapping.

But it didn't save her.

She appeared in videos, tearfully pleading, saying that these might be her last hours.

She begged not to die like Mr Bigley.

However, in November of 2004, she was murdered.

This wasn't some distant abstract threat.

This was a reality for people going into these places.

Sean knew all of this.

He was a journalist.

And now he finds himself in the same situation.

Hoping desperately for a different outcome.

Chapter 5.