White House confirms Prescott’s Kayla Mueller deceased

mueller-prescottPresident Obama released a statement this morning on the tragic death of Kayla Jean Mueller, an aid worker who was taken hostage by ISIL in 2013.

“We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life,” Carl and Marsha Mueller, of Prescott, Ariz., said in a statement. “Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace.”

U.S. Senator John McCain released a statement today in which he said that he was “heartbroken for the Mueller family at the loss of their beautiful, beloved daughter, Kayla. The thoughts and prayers of the people of Arizona, America, and the civilized world are with the Mueller family at this terrible hour.”

“Kayla devoted her young life to helping people in need around the world, to healing the sick and bringing light to some of the darkest and most desperate places on Earth,” continued McCain. “When asked what drove her mission, Kayla said, ‘I find God in the suffering eyes reflected in mine, if this is how you are revealed to me, this is how I will forever seek you.’ Kayla’s remarkable legacy of service will never be forgotten, even by so many who never had the honor of meeting her.”

McCain asked the media to “respect the privacy of the Mueller family at this difficult time.”

According to Fox News, the family received information from their daughter’s ISIS captors over the weekend that was authenticated.

National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said Tuesday, “The family received a private message from Kayla’s ISIL captors containing additional information,” according to Fox.

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar issued a statement:

“I am profoundly saddened to learn of Kayla Jean Mueller’s death. I offer my deepest condolences to the Mueller Family during these trying times. The world has learned a great deal about Kayla in these past few days, and the consensus is that she represents the best of humankind.

“As an American, Kayla was afforded rights that are not considered universal to so many others around the world. But she did not take them for granted. She felt these freedoms were a calling to make sacrifices for those less fortunate and to give hope to the seemingly hopeless. Kayla’s was a beautiful life, and her works are a beacon of light in a world that is too often filled with darkness.

“Since Friday, my office’s phone lines have not stopped ringing with thoughts of love and prayer for Kayla’s safe return. The world stood in awe of her remarkably brave and selfless actions that have transcended race, religion and geographic barriers. I can only imagine the solemn pride that Kayla’s parents must feel for raising a woman who made such a positive impact on so many.

“Arizona, as well as our nation, has lost a piece of its heart—an ambassador of good will. But this nation never relents, and it never gives up. The American people must be resolved now to bring justice to Kayla’s captors. We must put an end to this monstrous violence based on intolerance. We must endeavor to remain brave and strong in the face of those who wish to terrify, just as Kayla did.

“I ask that all Americans keep Kayla and those who loved her in their thoughts during this extraordinarily difficult time.

The President’s statement reads:

“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.

“ISIL 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.”

In August 2013, Mueller was taken captive by ISIL terrorists while leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo, Syria, according to McCain’s office. Kayla had been working along the Turkish-Syrian border for months helping the thousands of men, women and children whose lives were torn apart by the humanitarian catastrophe created by Bashar Assad and the Syrian civil war.

Mueller graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2009. Kayla served people in need around the world, including India, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

“For as long as I live, I will not let this suffering be normal – something we just accept,” Mueller told The Daily Courier in 2013. “When Syrians hear I’m an American, they ask, ‘Where is the world?’ All I can do is cry with them, because I don’t know,” Mueller said.

“The Northern Arizona University family is deeply saddened by the loss of alumna Kayla Jean Mueller,” said NAU President Rita Cheng. “This is absolutely heartbreaking and our thoughts are with her family and friends. Kayla was actively engaged in serving others even in her time as an undergraduate at NAU, and her faith fueled her desire to work with Syrian refugees. It is a great loss to all those whose lives she touched and the many she was certain to help in the future.”

As President Barack Obama said, “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.”

Details on NAU events to honor Kayla will be announced soon. The Mueller family has requested donations be made to causes Kayla would have supported.

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