WATEFORD, Mich. -- The body of a Waterford soldier missing in Iraq for more than year has been found.

The soldier's stepfather Gordon Dibler told Local 4 officials came to his home in Oxford on Thursday and told the family they found Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, in Iraq.

"Knowing how much energy I tried to keep up for Sarah my daughter and the family around us hoping that he was alive," said Dibler.

Fouty was one of three soldiers who were kidnapped.

"He made a choice. He wanted to be a commando. He wanted to help others that couldn't do. I actually feel he was called to be in the service," Dibler said.

The details of Fouty's death are unclear. He was kidnapped in Iraq last year during an ambush that left several other soldiers death.

Fouty, along with Army Sgt. Alex Jimenez, 25. of Lawrence, Mass., were kidnapped in the area of Baghdad known as the "triangle of death".

Jimenez' body was also found and his father was notified Thursday.

Officials used dental records to identify Fouty. Further tests are expected to be performed to positively identify both men and determine the cause of death.

No details have been released on memorial services for Fouty.