American female hostage of Islamic State is confirmed dead

The FBI has notified the family of Kayla Mueller, the 26-year-old American woman held hostage by the Islamic State in Syria, that she is dead.

“We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life,” her parents said in a statement. “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.”

In a statement, President Obama said that “it is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Kayla Jean Mueller. On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I convey our deepest condolences to Kayla’s family — her parents, Marsha and Carl, and her brother Eric and his family — and all of those who loved Kayla dearly. At this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their grief.”

The Islamic State announced Friday that Mueller had been killed when a Jordanian fighter jet bombed the building where she was being held in Raqqa, the group’s de facto capital. It was the first time the Islamic State had acknowledged it was holding the young woman.

U.S. officials are still unsure how Mueller died, and Jordanian officials have expressed skepticism that she was killed in an airstrike.

Mueller, of Prescott, Ariz., was abducted in August 2013 after leaving a hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo. She had traveled to the region in late 2012 to help refugees trying to escape the civil war in that country.

Mueller is the fourth American since August to die while being held hostage by the Islamic State. The group is still holding a British journalist.

Mueller’s parents had held out hope that their daughter was alive, issuing a statement Friday to her captors.

“This news leaves us concerned, yet, we are still hopeful that Kayla is alive,” the family said. “We have sent you a private message and ask that you respond to us privately. We know that you have read our previous communications.”

(WASHINGTON POST)