Remains of Daniel Pearl begin journey home

KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- The remains of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl were moved from a mortuary to the airport here Wednesday in preparation for their return to the United States.

Karachi police confirmed that the remains were turned over to officials from the U.S. consulate for a flight that is expected to leave Karachi early Thursday morning.

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Pakistani authorities said in May they found the remains buried in a yard close to a one-room structure where they believe the kidnapped reporter may have been held hostage. A DNA test confirmed the body was Pearl's.

Pearl disappeared in January while researching a story in Karachi about Pakistani militants and accused terrorist Richard Reid.

Killing was videotaped

A few days after Pearl disappeared, the previously unknown National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty announced his kidnapping in e-mails to U.S. and Pakistani news organizations. Photographs of Pearl were attached.

A videotape of the reporter's killing was sent to U.S. officials in February.

Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British-born Islamic militant, was sentenced to death by hanging by an anti-terrorism court in Hyderabad for Pearl's murder.

Three accomplices received life sentences, which in Pakistan usually means 25 years.