Hostage Kayla Mueller's Family Releases Letter She Wrote
Kayla Mueller, a 26-year-old American woman held captive by Islamic State militants, has been confirmed dead, her parents and the Obama administration said Tuesday.
Mueller's family received a private message from her captors over the weekend, which was authenticated by the U.S. intelligence community.
"We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life," Carl and Marsha Mueller 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."
Upon the news of her death Tuesday, the family released a letter Mueller had written to them almost a year ago.
Mueller's family received the letter in the spring of 2014 while the Arizona native was still in held captive by the Islamic jihadists.
"Everyone, if you are receiving this letter it means I am still detained but my cell mates (starting from 11/2/2014) have been released. I have asked them to contact you + send you this letter," she starts off.
She continues that she "completely unharmed + healthy (put on weight in fact); I have been treated w/ the utmost respect + kindness."
"If you could say I have 'suffered' at all throughout this whole experience it is only in knowing how much suffering I have put you all through; I will never ask you to forgive me as I do not deserve forgiveness," she writes, asking her family to forgive her.
Mueller goes on to share in detail how she relied on her faith to help her through the experience.
"I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else .+ by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall," she wrote. "I have been shown in darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful."
"I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it," she says. "I pray each each day that if nothing else, you have felt a certain closeness + surrender to God as well + have formed a bond of love + support amongst one another."
She ends the emotional letter with a call for patience and to surrender their pain to God.
"Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong," she writes. "That is exactly what I am doing... Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I + by God's will we will be together soon."
About The Author
