"Al-Qaeda group 'beheads US man.'"

From the BBC:

Al-Qaeda group 'beheads US man'

Militants loyal to a top al-Qaeda suspect have reportedly released a video on a web site which apparently shows a US citizen being beheaded.

The man says he is from San Francisco, but it is unclear if and when he was taken hostage.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi militants have previously released footage of at least three hostages being decapitated….

On Thursday, the US said all 32 countries in the multinational force in Iraq had agreed not to give in to the demands of hostage-takers.

"We are united in our resolve to make no concessions to terrorists," the State Department announced.

Elsewhere, the victim has been identified Benjamin Danforth.

Update: As reader Dan points out in comments, this tape is (thankfully!) a hoax (read about it here).

Which means that today's grisly tale of death devolves to the passing–apparently of "natural causes"–of Rick "Super Freak" James, creator of one of the greatest grooves of all time, improbable one-time bandmate of Neil Young, and convicted sex torturer whose true legacy may be proving that substance abuse, far more than video, killed the radio star.

For those about to funk (we salute you), here's "Super Freak"'s memorable lyrics.