Lt. Col. Thomas Mooney, a Cranston native and the U.S. defense attaché in Cyprus, was found dead in a remote rural area of the Mediterranean island Monday, four days after he disappeared with his diplomatic car, according to wire reports and a statement from U.S. Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher.

A police statement said an autopsy showed that Mooney bled to death from a cut to the throat. A Cypriot official involved in the autopsy told the Associated Press that the diplomat “had a wound in the neck which is compatible with self-infliction.”

“There is no evidence of foul play,” the official said.

Mooney, 45, grew up in Edgewood, and graduated from Cranston High School East and the University of Rhode Island, according to several friends who refuse to believe Mooney could have taken his own life.

“It’s inconceivable to me,” said Stephen Laffey, the former Cranston mayor who has been a lifelong friend of Mooney. “He loved being in the military. He was happy to serve his country.”

Mooney’s home in the United States was in Florida, according to Nick Perry, another childhood friend who visited Mooney twice in Cyprus, most recently in May. “I’m not a psychiatrist,” said Perry, speaking long distance yesterday from Turkey, “but I know this guy probably as well as anyone on earth. I just don’t buy that he committed suicide.”

“We’re devastated by this,” said Glenn Surabian, another friend originally from Edgewood. “He was one of the greatest guys around, always there for you as a friend.”

Mooney, who was married with children, had served as military attaché in Cyprus since June 2006. He disappeared with his black Chevrolet Impala last Thursday, prompting a ground and air search.

The police said Mooney’s body was found near his car, which was parked on a dirt road in the Lefka region of rugged, hilly terrain about 30 miles west of the capital, Nicosia.

“After the notification of next of kin, with deep sadness, I announce that Lt. Col. Thomas Mooney, who served his nation with distinction as our defense attaché, was found dead by Cypriot authorities on Monday,” Schlicher said in a statement.

The State Department said there was no indication of terrorist involvement. “I wouldn’t point you in the direction of an act of terror,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told the Associated Press.

Mooney was last seen at around midday Thursday. The embassy conducted its own search, and Cypriot officials were notified at least a day later. Police checked ports, airports and checkpoints linking the divided island’s Greek and Turkish communities.

Schlicher said the embassy was canceling an Independence Day reception “in light of these sad circumstances.”

With reports from the Associated Press

marsenau@projo.com