LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Families said the bodies of two U.S. soldiers missing in Iraq for more than a year have been found.

Andy Jimenez, the father of Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez, of Lawrence, Mass., said the military told him Thursday that the remains of his son were identified in Iraq.

The stepfather of Pfc. Byron Fouty of Waterford, Mich., said that soldier's remains were also found there.

Jimenez said the news of his son "shattered all hope" that Alex would "walk home on his own." Fouty's stepfather called it "a very sad relief."

Jimenez and Fouty were kidnapped with Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., of Torrance, Calif., during an ambush in May 2007. Anzack's body was found a year later in the Euphrates River.

Fouty and Jimenez were both assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y.

The Pentagon has made no official announcement. It usually does not release news publicly until 24 hours after families are notified.

A veterans' official who spoke with the Jimenez family said they expect to receive his body next week.