Letters from Kayla Mueller and her parents
Kayla Mueller, the Arizona humanitarian aid worker held captive by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, who claimed she was killed by Jordanian bombers, was confirmed dead Tuesday morning. Her family released a copy of a letter she wrote while in captivity in 2014.
Letter from Kayla in 2014 (transcribed)
Letter from Kayla in 2014 (original)
Letter from Mueller family released Friday
We, Carl and Marsha Mueller, are the parents of Kayla Jean Mueller. She has been held by ISIS in Syria since August 4, 2013.
To those in positions of responsibility for holding Kayla; in adherence to your warnings and out of concern for Kayla's safety, we have been silent until now.
After going to extraordinary efforts to keep Kayla's name out of the media for so long, by securing the cooperation of journalists throughout the world, her name was released today.
This news leaves us concerned, yet, we are still hopeful that Kayla is alive. We have sent you a private message and ask that you respond to us privately. We know that you have read our previous communications, John Cantlie made references to them in October.
You told us that you treated Kayla as your guest, as your guest her safety and well being remains your responsibility.
Kayla's mother and I have been doing everything we can to get her released safely.
At this time we ask you, who are holding Kayla, to contact us privately.