Kayla Jean Mueller, the 26-year-old aid worker from Arizona and ISIS hostage, was confirmed dead by family as the captors sent them a private message during the weekend. The devastating news was revealed on Tuesday by Mueller's family and the White House and sent the heartbreaking update to the media.
Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman, stated that the captors' message was sent over the weekend. The message was then authenticated by the council and has concluded that the young lady was deceased, CNN reported.
"We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller has lost her life," the family stated.
The message that the family received included photos of the aid worker and a letter that she wrote while in captive. US official have not confirmed what was the cause of death and when she actually died. The ISIS militant group disclosed that Mueller died on an airstrike from a coalition in Syria, a Jordanian Jet strike at the building where she was being held captive, according to Reuters.
Mueller was described by her family as a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. At a very young age, she was very dedicated to helping those in need of freedom, justice and peace.
President Barrack Obama expressed his deepest sympathy to the Mueller family as he learned about the tragic incident. He made a statement saying that it does not matter how long it takes and that the US government will find and bring justice to her death and held the terrorists responsible for her demise.
"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," President Obama stated.