Obama offers condolences to Kayla Mueller's parents


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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama has spoken with the parents of Kayla Jean Mueller (MYOO'-lur), and offered his condolences and prayers.

The administration and the parents of the 26-year-old Arizona woman who was held by Islamic State militants say she's been confirmed dead. Officials say the family received a private message from her captors over the weekend, and that it was authenticated by U.S. intelligence. It's not clear yet just how and when she died.

Her parents say they're "heartbroken" to learn of her death. They say their daughter was a "compassionate and devoted humanitarian" who "dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice and peace."

Mueller had assisted humanitarian organizations working with Syrian refugees.

Obama says she "epitomized all that is good in our world." And he vowed to bring to justice those who were responsible for her captivity and her death.

%@AP Links

141-c-22-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-"by U.S. intelligence"-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports a statement from President Obama is confirming the death of Kayla Jean Mueller. ((Mueller is pronounced MYOO'-lur)) (10 Feb 2015)

<<CUT *141 (02/10/15)££ 00:22 "by U.S. intelligence"

142-c-18-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-"long it takes"-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the president is vowing to seek justice for Mueller. (10 Feb 2015)

<<CUT *142 (02/10/15)££ 00:18 "long it takes"

APPHOTO AZPRE101: In this May 30, 2013, photo, Kayla Mueller is shown after speaking to a group in Prescott, Ariz. The parents of an American woman held by Islamic State militants say they have been notified of her death. Carl and Marsha Mueller, the parents of Kayla Jean Mueller, released a statement on Tuesday saying they have been told that she has died. The White House also issued a statement confirming her death.The Islamic State group said Friday that the 26-year-old Mueller from Prescott, Arizona, died in a Jordanian airstrike. (AP Photo/The Daily Courier, Matt Hinshaw) MANDATORY CREDIT (8 Jan 2013)

<<APPHOTO AZPRE101 (01/08/13)££

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