Peter Kassig: Obama Confirms Beheading of American Who Converted To Islam In Captivity

President Obama himself came forward Sunday to confirm that Peter Kassig, an American who had been held captive in Syria since October 2013, has been beheaded by members of the Islamic State.

According to Time, Peter Kassig had converted to Islam while being held prisoner and changed his name to Abdul-Rahman. But despite his conversion to the religion of his captors, ultimately that decision did not save his life.

President Obama said the following in a statement.

“Abdul-Rahman was taken from us in an act of pure evil by a terrorist group that the world rightly associates with inhumanity…[he] was a humanitarian who worked to save the lives of Syrians injured and dispossessed by the Syrian conflict.”

The president condemned Islamic State, also known as ISIS, saying the extremist group “revels in the slaughter of innocents, including Muslims, and is bent only on sowing death and destruction.”

The Inquisitr reported earlier this year that the parents of Kassig–a former U.S. Army Ranger turned aid worker–revealed his fear of death at the hands of his captors in letters he sent to them.

“I am obviously pretty scared to die but the hardest part is not knowing, wondering, hoping, and wondering if I should even hope at all,” Kassig wrote.

In the wake of his death, Kassig’s parents–Paula and Ed, who had plead for their son’s life earlier this year–released the following words to the public.

“We are incredibly proud of our son for living his life according to his humanitarian calling.”

They also requested that the media not broadcast footage or photos from his execution video.

“We prefer our son is written about and remembered for his important work and the love he shared with friends and family, not in the manner the hostage takers would use to manipulate Americans and further their cause.”

There was understandable sadness and outrage in the 26-year-old Kassig’s home state of Indiana, according to USA Today. Governor Mike Pence, a Republican, had this to say about the slain Indianapolis native.

“We have all been inspired by this compassionate and courageous young man since we first learned of his selfless service and abduction… I urge every Hoosier to keep this remarkable young man, his loving family, and friends in our most earnest thoughts and prayers.”

Do you think more could have been done by the U.S. government to save Peter Kassig?