Family of Isis hostage Kayla Mueller confirms US aid worker has been killed

[Bosonic]

Source: The Guardian

The family of Kayla Mueller, the 26-year-old aid worker held hostage by Isis since August 2013, has confirmed in a statement that she has been killed.

“We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life,” her parents and brother said on Tuesday.

Supporters of Islamic State had claimed on Friday that she was killed in a Jordanian air strike intended to avenge the burning to death of a captured Jordanian pilot.

Carl and Marsha Mueller, her parents, said: “Our hearts are breaking for our only daughter, but we will continue on in peace, dignity, and love for her.”

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/family-kayla-mueller-confirms-aid-worker-killed

[question everything]

1. Statement by the President

Statement by the President on the Death of Kayla Jean Mueller

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.

Kayla dedicated her life to helping others in need at home and around the world. In Prescott, Arizona, she volunteered at a women's shelter and worked at an HIV/AIDS clinic. She worked with humanitarian organizations in India, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, compelled by her desire to serve others. Eventually, her path took her to Turkey, where she helped provide comfort and support to Syrian refugees forced to flee their homes during the war. Kayla's compassion and dedication to assisting those in need shows us that even amongst unconscionable evil, the essential decency of humanity can live on.

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. She said: "Here we are. Free to speak out without fear of being killed, blessed to be protected by the same law we are subjected to, free to see our families as we please, free to cross borders and free to disagree. We have many people to thank for these freedoms and I see it as an injustice not to use them to their fullest."

Kayla Mueller used these freedoms she so cherished to improve the lives of others. In how she lived her life, she epitomized all that is good in our world. She has been taken from us, but her legacy endures, inspiring all those who fight, each in their own way, for what is just and what is decent. 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.

SIL is a hateful and abhorrent terrorist group whose actions stand in stark contrast to the spirit of people like Kayla. On this day, we take comfort in the fact that the future belongs not to those who destroy, but rather to the irrepressible force of human goodness that Kayla Mueller shall forever represent.

http://ktar.com/22/1806429/Confirmation-Arizona-aid-worker-Kayla-Mueller-killed

Sad

[msanthrope]

2. I've been following BBC coverage on her over the last week.....

and hoping that ISIS hadn't killed her. But they did.

[liberalmike27]

5. My Thinking

Folks, you need to stay the hell away from these countries, as this is very likely to happen to you. Entering these countries, for whatever altruistic or press reasons, will likely get you killed. Don't do it, because we KNOW it's happening. They are angry. They have seen big holes blown in their relatives, they've seen their mothers, fathers, and children burned, and splattered by our bombs, dropped from on-high by various aircraft. It's the only way they feel they can strike back, and yes it is barbaric, but entirely unavoidable. Stay home. Do your good here, or wherever you are--plenty of folks need charity work here, thanks to the same people that started the wars in Iraq, and bumbled their way into the 9/11 attacks (at the least).

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

11. Such a beautiful soul

I will never understand the kind of person who kills a young woman who endures hardship to help your people.

Religious fundamentalist savages. ugh

[greatlaurel]

3. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

So very sad.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

4. Probably for the best.

I can't imagine the unspeakable horrors that they put this woman through. RIP.

[Jeneral2885]

8. Uh huh

so have thousands before her and many others daily.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

9. And that's terrible also.

Right now we're talking about this brave young woman.

[Jeneral2885]

10. right

why not talk about those that never meet media spotlight? Or the millions starved by America's neoliberal actions? It's always only those show in the media that get talked about. How brave is she compared to those who risk their lives daily to get basic needs?

[Brigid]

6. An old saying comes to mind:

No.good deed goes unpunished.

and for Kayla and her family.

[Jeneral2885]

7. while we grieve for her

Remember that there are thousands of other humanitarian workers who have died in past conflicts and many who are risking their lives daily. Kayla is just one of the many.