American Officials, Family, and Friends, React to Killing of 4 Hostages By Somali Pirates

Reaction to the killing of two couples at the hands of Somali pirates aboard the SoCal-based yacht The Quest has been widespread among Americans. Jean and Scott Adam are being remembered as "gentle and adventurous" Christian missionaries who loved sailing, and were passionate about their faith, according to the Daily Breeze.

At the Del Rey Yacht Club, where the couple were members for a decade, the flag was lowered to half-mast. Friends say the Adams "knew the risks" of sailing around the world to hand out Bibles, but that they probably didn't think anything bad would happen to them.

Among the U.S. officials voicing public reaction is U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who called the killing a "deplorable act" that "underscores the need for the international community to act more decisively together," and "have a more effective approach to maintaining security on the seas, in the ocean lanes that are so essential to commerce and travel," reports LA Now.

Relatives of the Adams issued a statement through the FBI, though their full names have not been released to protect their privacy:

"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of the Navy and other military branches who risked their lives trying to save them [...] Our loved ones were tragically taken from us and our hearts are broken."

In addition to the reaction from officials, relatives, and friends, the military is working to sort out the details and chronology of the events that unfolded in the dangerous waters of the Gulf of Arden. There were "signs of dissent" among the pirates who boarded the Quest, and some showed signs of surrender, however they ultimately "fired a rocket-propelled grenade" towards a military vessel shadowing the Quest, which missed. The bodies of the Adams, and a Seattle-based couple, were removed from the Quest yesterday.