The White House on Tuesday confirmed the death of American Kayla Mueller (26) at the hands of the Islamic State (IS) militants.
After U.S. intelligence authenticated a private message received by the Mueller family in Prescott, Arizona, from IS, Mr. Obama described her captors as a “hateful and abhorrent terrorist group whose actions stand in stark contrast to the spirit of people like Kayla.”
Jordanian air strikeIS had said last Friday that Ms. Mueller died in a Jordanian air strike which may have also involved the participation of U.S. aircraft.
Jordan’s offensive came days after IS released a video online showing the burning alive of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh, leading to worldwide condemnation IS’s brutality. The President however said that Ms. Mueller represented “what is best about America, and expressed her deep pride in the freedoms that we Americans enjoy,” and this was manifested in her aid work around the world including in India, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
Mr. Obama promised, “No matter how long it takes, the United States will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible for Kayla’s captivity and death.”
In a statement, Ms. Mueller’s parents Carl and Marsha said, “We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life. Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace.”
According to reports, Ms. Mueller, who was taken into captivity in August 2013 while leaving a hospital in Syria, was the only known remaining U.S. hostage held by IS.
