American U.S. Court interpreter, Jorge Luis Dieppa, has been killed in Ciudad Juarez after his family couldn't pay a $10,000 ransom demanded by men who kidnapped him on July 5.
He was discovered stabbed repeatedly and bound with duct tape, according to the releases, which did not identify Dieppa by name.
Federal sources in San Antonio confirmed Dieppa's identity and said FBI authorities in El Paso had been contacted to investigate the case since Dieppa was a U.S. citizen.
"Anytime that we lose someone, it's a tragedy to the family and to the court family," Judge Fred Biery of the Western District told FoxNews.com. "We're truly like a family within the court system."
Dieppa's kidnapping and violent death are not believed to be related to his status as a federal employee, and court officials had been told he crossed the border into Mexico to have work done on his car, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
The FBI has refused to comment on the case, citing an ongoing investigation.