Johnson’s Family in Seclusion in N.J.

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The grieving family of an American beheaded by al-Qaida militants spent most of the day in seclusion Friday at a town house decorated with yellow ribbons as leaders around the globe condemned the killing.

Those close to the family of Paul M. Johnson Jr. were horrified by the slaying in Saudi Arabia. “They just can’t keep taking American hostages, doing that to them, and putting it on the Internet for everybody to see,” said John Hayes, a childhood friend of Johnson.

An al-Qaida group said Friday it killed Johnson, 49, posting an internet message that showed photographs of a beheaded body. The statement, along with three still photos, was published on a Web site where the group frequently makes announcements.

The statement appeared around the time that a 72-hour deadline set by the kidnappers ended. Militants threatened to kill him by Friday if the kingdom did not release its al-Qaida prisoners.

Hours later, Saudi security forces tracked down and killed the leader of the terrorist group, according to Saudi and U.S. officials.

Johnson’s relatives spent most of Friday at his niece’s house in Galloway Township, in southern New Jersey. A man who was standing in front of the home identified himself only as “Bill” and said the family did not want to talk to reporters. Relatives were seen leaving the in a van and car Friday evening.

Johnson’s employer, Lockheed Martin, issued a statement Friday afternoon expressing the company’s grief. At the time of his abduction, Johnson was working on targeting and night vision systems for Apache helicopters.

Gov. James E. McGreevey called his death “a horrific tragedy for all who value decency, integrity and freedom.”

The slaying sent shock waves through the communities in New Jersey where Johnson grew up, and in Florida, where he later moved.

In suburban Philadelphia, the family of American businessman Nicholas Berg, who was beheaded in Iraq last month, offered condolences to Johnson’s family and others who have been killed in Iraq.

New Jersey politicians uniformly denounced the killing.

“I am utterly appalled at the brutal, heinous murder of Paul Johnson,” said Sen. John Corzine. “As we know all too well, terrorism knows no boundaries, and the cold-blooded crime that ended Mr. Johnson’s life must strengthen our commitment and resolve to win the war against terrorists.”

Corzine and fellow New Jersey Democrat, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, had met Tuesday with the Saudi government’s top foreign policy adviser, Adel al-Jubeir, in hopes of getting Johnson freed.

Candlelight vigils were held Thursday night in Johnson’s hometown of Eagleswood Township and in Florida, where he lived before moving to the Middle East. About 100 people, including Johnson’s niece and daughter, attended the New Jersey vigil.

More than 200 people attended the service in Port St. John, Fla., where Johnson’s son, Paul Johnson III, still lives. Around the younger Johnson’s neighborhood, yellow ribbons were tied around dozens of trees, and well-wishers paid their respects at his empty home. One woman and her young daughter left a small pink teddy bear and a message offering prayers and condolences. “We are sorry for your loss,” the note said.

Another Florida neighbor, Gulf War veteran Brett Nichols, 36, reacted to the news with surprise, then sad resignation. “When is it going to end?” he asked.