The American ISIS hostage, Kayla Mueller , has been confirmed dead. Mueller was the last standing hostage held captive by the Islamic State extremist group, commonly referred to as ISIS. Kayla’s death was confirmed by both her relatives and the White House, according to the Wall Street Journal .
The Islamic State released information to the United States, claiming that Kayla Mueller has died in a Jordanian airstrike in Syria. However, both Jordan and the United States have revealed their suspicion toward the information. Over the weekend, the Islamic State sent a private message and photographs to Mueller’s family. The photographs were of her corpse.
Officials from the U.S. National Security Council confirmed that the photographs were authentic, thus confirming Kayla’s death. However, the pictures indicated no proof that Ms. Mueller had been the victim of an airstrike of any kind.
Kayla Mueller’s family recently wrote a letter, revealing exactly who Kayla was and how her death is a loss, not just for her family but for the world. In the letter, the family describes Mueller as “compassionate and devoted humanitarian.” It was a fact that not even the President of the United States could deny. Barack Obama recently gave his condolences to Mueller’s family.
“Kayla represents what is best about America, and expressed her deep pride in the freedoms that we Americans enjoy, and that so many others strive for around the world.”
Kayla Mueller’s “freedom” was taken away back in August of 2013. Mueller was 26 at the time, and working in Aleppo, Syria. A year later, during her captivity, Kayla was allowed to send a letter to her family. In the letter, she attempted to convince her loved ones that the militants were treating her respectfully and that she was doing well. In the letter, Mueller wrote, “I could only but write the letter a paragraph at a time, just the thought of you all sends me into a fit of tears. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing.” The family has kept the letter a secret until now.
In the letter, Mueller also expresses guilt that ISIS has targeted her family for money to release her. The Islamic State asked for a ransom in 2014 of $6.6 million for Kayla’s release. The extremist group also attempted to negotiate with the United States, asking for the U.S. government to release the Pakistani prisoner, Afia Siddiqui. This was an attempt bound to fail, as “the United States of America does not negotiate with terrorists.”
ISIS ceased in negotiations for Kayla Mueller’s release after claiming responsibility for the deaths of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. A recent statement by President Barack Obama suggests that ISIS will not get away with any of the murders or captivities.
“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.”