The U.S. confirms death of aid worker in Syria

(Vatican Radio) The White House has confirmed the death of aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller, the last of the four American hostages known to have been held by Islamic State militants in Syria. It remains unclear, however, whether her death took place as a result of a Jordanian air strike as Islamic State had claimed.

In a statement, the Mueller family said they are heartbroken over the loss of their daughter. In a letter she wrote to her family in 2014, which her family released to the press, the young humanitarian aid worker said the hope of her reunion with her family was the source her strength during her captivity.

“Please be patient, give your to pain to God,” she wrote. “I know you would want me to remain strong and that is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I + with Gods will we will be together soon.”

Paying tribute to the 26-year-old woman, President Barack Obama said “she represents what is best about America.”

In the meantime, the White House is vowing to bring to justice the Islamic State militants it says are responsible for her “captivity and death.”