Kayla Mueller

{{Short description|American aid worker and ISIS captive (1988–2015)}}

{{Infobox person

| image = Kayla Mueller 2016.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Mueller in 2013

| birth_name = Kayla Jean Mueller

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1988|08|14}}

| birth_place = Prescott, Arizona, U.S.|

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|02|06|1988|08|14}}

| death_place = Raqqa, Syria

| occupation = Human rights activist, humanitarian aid worker

| education = Northern Arizona University (BA)

}}

Kayla Jean Mueller (August 14, 1988 – February 6, 2015) was an American human rights activist and humanitarian aid worker from Prescott, Arizona, United States. She was taken captive in August 2013 in Aleppo, Syria, after leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital. Media reported that a 26-year-old American aid worker was being held by ISIS without naming her, at her family's request. In 2015, she was killed in uncertain circumstances. The operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was named Operation Kayla Mueller in her honor.

Early life, activism and humanitarian aid

Mueller was a native of Prescott, Arizona. After graduating from Tri-City College Prep High School in 2007, she attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff to study political science.

Mueller was a practicing Christian.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/kayla-mueller-captivity-courage-selflessness-defended-christian-faith/story?id=41626763|title=Kayla Mueller Defended Christian Faith to ISIS Executioner 'Jihadi John'|date=August 27, 2016|website=ABC News|access-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210104827/https://abcnews.go.com/International/kayla-mueller-captivity-courage-selflessness-defended-christian-faith/story?id=41626763|archive-date=February 10, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Busteed |first1=Desmond |title=Islamic State leader 'raped' US Christian hostage Kayla Mueller |url=https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Islamic-State-leader-raped-US-Christian-hostage-Kayla-Mueller |publisher=Premier |access-date=October 28, 2019 |date=August 15, 2015 |quote=Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi repeatedly raped devout Christian Kayla Mueller, according to accounts provided to US intelligence officials. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028113837/https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Islamic-State-leader-raped-US-Christian-hostage-Kayla-Mueller |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |url-status=live }} As a college student, she was active in an ecumenical Christian campus ministry, United Christian Ministries.{{cite web |last1=O’Neill |first1=Scott |title=Kayla Mueller remembered |url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2015/2/20/kayla-mueller-remembered/ |publisher=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |access-date=October 28, 2019 |date=February 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028114244/https://www.pcusa.org/news/2015/2/20/kayla-mueller-remembered/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |url-status=live }} She was also interested in Bhakti yoga.{{Cite web|url=https://iskconnews.org/isis-hostage-and-food-for-life-volunteer-kayla-mueller-is-killed/|title=ISIS Hostage and Food For Life Volunteer Kayla Mueller Is Killed|date=February 11, 2015}}

Mueller supported a variety of humanitarian aid and human rights initiatives. Her involvement in human rights activism and humanitarian aid included working in India with Tibetan refugees.Phuntsok Yangchen, [http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=35777&article=US+women+killed+by+IS+militants+a+Tibet+supporter%2c+Tibetans+remember+her US women killed by IS militants a Tibet supporter, Tibetans remember her] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214131024/http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=35777&article=US+women+killed+by+IS+militants+a+Tibet+supporter%2c+Tibetans+remember+her |date=February 14, 2015 }}, Phayul.com February 13, 2015 Her work in the Middle East included volunteering for the pro-Palestinian activist group the International Solidarity Movement and helping African refugees in Israel with the African Refugees Development Center.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/.premium-1.641876|title=U.S. idealist Kayla Mueller's road to ISIS captivity went through West Bank|work=Haaretz|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210203910/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/.premium-1.641876|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.forkayla.org/about-kayla|title=About Kayla|work=For Kayla|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212033804/http://www.forkayla.org/about-kayla/|archive-date=February 12, 2015|url-status=live}} Other humanitarian and activist causes Mueller was involved in at home and abroad were Vrindavan Food For Life, which provides free food, education, and medical care for those in need;{{cite web|url=http://fflvrindavan.org/en/?p=3431|title=A tribute to Kayla Mueller|work=Food For Life Vrindavan|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211221518/http://fflvrindavan.org/en/?p=3431|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://iskconnews.org/isis-hostage-american-devotee-kayla-mueller-is-dead,4800/|title=ISIS Hostage and Food For Life Volunteer Kayla Mueller Is Killed|work=ISKCON News|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211231155/http://iskconnews.org/isis-hostage-american-devotee-kayla-mueller-is-dead,4800/|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=live}} and during college, Food Not Bombs.[http://ripr.org/post/us-aid-worker-held-isis-put-beliefs-action "Aid Worker Held By ISIS Put Beliefs Into Action, Friends Say"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214013407/http://ripr.org/post/us-aid-worker-held-isis-put-beliefs-action |date=February 14, 2015 }}, ripr.org; accessed August 15, 2015.

Abduction by ISIS

Mueller started working in southern Turkey in December 2012, where she was assisting Syrian refugees. On August 3, 2013, she traveled to the northern Syrian city of Aleppo with her boyfriend, a Syrian contractor hired to install communications equipment at the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo.{{cite news

|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/doctors-borders-refused-american-isis-hostage-kayla-mueller/story

|title=Doctors Without Borders Refused to Help American ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller|first1=James Gordon|last1=Meek

|first2=Megan|last2=Christie|first3=Brian|last3=Epstein|first4=Brian|last4=Ross|website=ABC News|date=August 24, 2016}}{{cite web|first1=Rukmini|last1=Callimachi|first2=Rick |last2=Gladstone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/07/world/middleeast/isis-claims-american-hostage-killed-by-jordanian-retaliation-bombings.html|title=ISIS Claims American Hostage Killed by Jordanian Retaliation Bombings|work=The New York Times|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304032323/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/07/world/middleeast/isis-claims-american-hostage-killed-by-jordanian-retaliation-bombings.html|archive-date=March 4, 2019|url-status=live}}

Although Mueller had been working with international aid agency Support to Life in Turkey, this was not a work-related trip.{{cite web|url=http://www.hayatadestek.org/en/about-us|title=About Us|work=hayatadestek.org|access-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209090213/http://www.hayatadestek.org/en/about-us/|archive-date=February 9, 2015 |publisher=Support to Life (STL)}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/msf-statement-abc-news-2020-documentary-kayla-mueller|title=MSF Statement on the ABC News 20/20 Documentary on Kayla Mueller|date=August 24, 2016|publisher=Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières|access-date=August 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826145201/http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/msf-statement-abc-news-2020-documentary-kayla-mueller|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}} Doctors Without Borders staff were "flabbergasted" at Mueller's arrival, fearing for her safety, as Syria was dangerous for international aid workers amid a civil war. The following day, Doctors Without Borders staff tried to drive Mueller to a bus station so she could travel back to Turkey.Callimachi, Rukmini; Schmitt, Eric Schmitt (February 10, 2015). [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/middleeast/parents-of-kayla-mueller-isis-hostage-confirm-she-is-dead.html With Proof From ISIS of Her Death, Family Honors Kayla Mueller]. New York Times, February 10, 2015. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401042908/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/middleeast/parents-of-kayla-mueller-isis-hostage-confirm-she-is-dead.html|date=April 1, 2019}}. The car was ambushed, and both Mueller and her boyfriend were abducted by ISIS. Her boyfriend was freed 20 days later.{{Cite web |title=Kayla Mueller's boyfriend describes effort to free her |url=https://apnews.com/article/1878a5aea4604f7584dfd19b15ccd7d2 |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=AP NEWS |date=February 16, 2015 |language=en}}

Captivity and unsuccessful rescue attempt

The US military and Mueller's family attempted to rescue Mueller several times, devoting considerable resources to the search.{{cite web|first=Ralph|last=Ellis|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/12/middleeast/mueller-rescue-attempts/|title='Enormous resources' on rescue attempt for Kayla Mueller, Obama says|website=CNN|date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221105610/http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/12/middleeast/mueller-rescue-attempts/ |archive-date=February 21, 2017 }} In July 2014, US special operations forces (from Delta Force and 75th Ranger Regiment) raided an abandoned oil refinery near Raqqa in an unsuccessful attempt to find reporter James Foley (whom ISIS later murdered) and other hostages. The commandos found evidence that the hostages had recently been held there, finding writing on the cell walls and hair believed to be Mueller's, but the refinery was empty.{{cite news|first=Karen|last=DeYoung|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-anatomy-of-a-failed-hostage-rescue-deep-into-islamic-state-territory/2015/02/14/09a5d9a0-b2fc-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html|title=The anatomy of a failed hostage rescue deep in Islamic State territory|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222052802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-anatomy-of-a-failed-hostage-rescue-deep-into-islamic-state-territory/2015/02/14/09a5d9a0-b2fc-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html |archive-date=February 22, 2017 }}{{cite web|first1=Philip|last1=Ewing|first2=Josh|last2=Gerstein|first3=Michael|last3=Hirsh|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/kayla-mueller-115097.html|title=No plans to save Kayla Mueller, Pentagon says|website=Politico|date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211090345/http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/kayla-mueller-115097.html |archive-date=February 11, 2015 }}

A Mueller family spokesman said that Mueller's parents "often communicated with the White House in trying to free their daughter." In the summer of 2014, as other options were exhausted, Mueller's parents asked President Barack Obama in a letter to consider trading her for Aafia Siddiqui, a convicted felon serving 86 years in federal prison having been found guilty of attempted murder and armed assault after a lengthy and widely publicized trial that stirred controversy in her country of birth, Pakistan; Siddiqui's release has been a long-sought demand of ISIS and al-Qaeda.{{cite web|first=Shane|last=Harris|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/11/muellers-hoped-kayla-might-be-traded-for-jailed-terrorist-siddiqui.html|title=Kayla Mueller's Family Asked U.S. to Give ISIS 'Lady al Qaeda': When all other options were exhausted, Kayla Mueller's family tried to persuade Obama to free a terrorist who wanted to weaponize Ebola|website=The Daily Beast|date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226164456/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/11/muellers-hoped-kayla-might-be-traded-for-jailed-terrorist-siddiqui.html |archive-date=February 26, 2017 }} The proposed exchange did not take place; the Obama administration had also rejected demands from other militant groups to exchange Siddiqui.

Catherine Herridge of Fox News reported via anonymous sources that the location of Mueller and other American hostages was known by the White House in May 2014. However, a decision regarding a rescue mission was not made for seven weeks, because the White House had asked for further intelligence to be obtained. By that time, the hostages had been dispersed.{{cite news|title=Herridge: WH Knew Location of ISIS Hostages, Delayed Rescue Attempt|url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/10/catherine-herridge-white-house-knew-location-isis-hostages-delayed-rescue-attempt|website=Fox News|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211195435/http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/10/catherine-herridge-white-house-knew-location-isis-hostages-delayed-rescue-attempt|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=live}}

In August 2015, the New York Times reported that Mueller had been forced into marriage{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/08/14/us/politics/ap-us-islamic-state-hostage.html?_r=0|title=Islamic State Leader Raped American Hostage, US Finds|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 14, 2015}}{{Failed verification|date=October 2022}} to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, who raped her repeatedly.{{cite web |date=August 14, 2015 |title=Islamic State leader reportedly raped American hostage |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/islamic-state-leader-reportedly-raped-american-hostage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250110112459/https://www.foxnews.com/world/islamic-state-leader-reportedly-raped-american-hostage |archive-date=2025-01-10 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Fox News |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|last2=Miller|first2=Greg|title=Leader of Islamic State took American hostage as sexual slave|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/leader-of-islamic-state-raped-american-hostage/2015/08/14/266b6bf4-42c1-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 14, 2015|access-date=August 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815153120/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/leader-of-islamic-state-raped-american-hostage/2015/08/14/266b6bf4-42c1-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html|archive-date=August 15, 2015|url-status=live}} She had also been tortured.

It had also been reported in May 2015 that Mueller was a "personal captive" of Abu Sayyaf.{{cite news|last1=Naylor|first1=Sean|title=Exclusive: American Hostage Passed on Chance to Escape|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/22/exclusive-american-hostage-passed-on-chance-to-escape-kayla-mueller-abu-sayyaf-delta-force|access-date=May 22, 2015|work=Foreign Policy|date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523121652/http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/22/exclusive-american-hostage-passed-on-chance-to-escape-kayla-mueller-abu-sayyaf-delta-force/|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=live}} In August 2015, ABC News reported that Abu Sayyaf's widow, Umm Sayyaf, had confirmed that al-Baghdadi had been Mueller's primary abuser.

Fellow captives who were released or escaped reported Mueller's strength and compassion. She was concerned for the safety of others, even intentionally passing up an escape attempt to give other women a better chance at freedom. After months of prolonged torture and abuse, ISIS members, who are known for their persecution of Christians, attempted to use her as propaganda by claiming she had abandoned the Christian faith in front of other prisoners who were men, but she denied it. Daniel Rye Ottosen, a Danish freelance photographer and fellow captive, said that the men in the room "...were impressed by the strength that she showed in front of us. That was very clear."{{cite web|first1=James Gordon|last1=Meek|first2=Megan|last2=Christie|first3=Brian|last3=Epstein|first4=Brian|last4=Ross|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/kayla-mueller-captivity-courage-selflessness-defended-christian-faith/story?id=41626763|title=Kayla Mueller Defended Christian Faith to ISIS Executioner 'Jihadi John'|date=August 27, 2016|website=ABC News|access-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827020030/https://abcnews.go.com/International/kayla-mueller-captivity-courage-selflessness-defended-christian-faith/story?id=41626763|archive-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=live}}

Death

On February 6, 2015, a media account affiliated with ISIS released a statement claiming that a female American hostage held by the group was killed by one of around a dozen Jordanian airstrikes in Raqqa. The statement came just days after the release of a video showing the burning alive of a Jordanian fighter pilot, Muath al-Kasasbeh, by ISIS and the subsequent execution of Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi and other prisoners of Jordan. The statement was later translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, identifying the hostage as Mueller.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kayla-jean-mueller-dead-isis_n_6630996|title=ISIS Claims Female American Hostage Kayla Jean Mueller Was Killed In Jordanian Airstrike|work=HuffPost|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2019}} Another statement by ISIS claimed Mueller was killed in an American airstrike.{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20150206-statement-attributed-to-isis-claims-u.s.-airstrike-killed-american-female-hostage.ece|title=Statement attributed to ISIS claims U.S. airstrike killed American female hostage|work=Dallas News|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=August 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823225604/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20150206-statement-attributed-to-isis-claims-u.s.-airstrike-killed-american-female-hostage.ece|archive-date=August 23, 2015|url-status=live}}

As part of the statement, ISIS published a photo of a damaged building, alleging that Mueller had been killed in a Jordanian airstrike of the building, where she had been left alone with no guards, but no proof of death was provided.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} The Pentagon agreed the building was one hit in the bombings, but disputed that Mueller or any other civilian had been inside at the time. The site had been bombed by the coalition twice before, and was targeted again because ISIS soldiers sometimes return to bombed sites, thinking the coalition would not bomb those sites again, according to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. After this, Mueller's name was released by American and other media with the family's consent.

On February 10, 2015, Mueller's family announced ISIS had confirmed her death to them in an e-mail, with three photographs of her dead body, bruised on the face and wearing a black hijab.{{cite news|first1=Rukmini|last1=Callimachi|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/middleeast/parents-of-kayla-mueller-isis-hostage-confirm-she-is-dead.html|title=Proof of Death in Hand, Family Honors Hostage|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401042908/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/world/middleeast/parents-of-kayla-mueller-isis-hostage-confirm-she-is-dead.html |archive-date=April 1, 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayla-jean-mueller-american-isis-hostage-is-dead-family-confirms|title=Kayla Jean Mueller, American ISIS hostage, is dead, family confirms|date=February 10, 2015|work=CBS News|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210153408/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayla-jean-mueller-american-isis-hostage-is-dead-family-confirms/|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=live}} National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said this message was authenticated by the intelligence community.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/world/isis-hostage-mueller/index.html|title=American ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller dead, family says|first1=Ashley|last1=Fantz|first2=Pamela|last2=Brown|first3=Jason|last3=Hanna|website=CNN|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=October 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017021744/http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/world/isis-hostage-mueller/index.html|archive-date=October 17, 2015|url-status=live}}

On August 24, 2016, ABC News reported that Doctors Without Borders had declined to help negotiate her release.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/doctors-borders-refused-american-isis-hostage-kayla-mueller/story?id=41601887|title=Doctors Without Borders Refused to Help American ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller|date=August 24, 2016|first1=James Gordon|last1=Meek|first2=Megan|last2=Christie|first3=Brian|last3=Epstein|first4=Brian|last4=Ross|website=ABC News|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824225308/https://abcnews.go.com/International/doctors-borders-refused-american-isis-hostage-kayla-mueller/story?id=41601887|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live}} Doctors Without Borders then issued a statement (since deleted but archived) to the effect that they felt constrained in their available actions by the complexities of the larger situation and their general lack of expertise in hostage negotiation.{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/msf-statement-abc-news-2020-documentary-kayla-mueller|title=MSF Statement on the ABC News 20/20 Documentary on Kayla Mueller|date=August 24, 2016|author=MSF|work=doctorswithoutborders.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014030404/https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/msf-statement-abc-news-2020-documentary-kayla-mueller |archive-date=October 14, 2016}}

In November 2019, the New York Times reported that Mueller may have been executed on the orders of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, according to reports from the wife of a close associate of his.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/politics/kayla-mueller-baghdadi.html|title=ISIS Leader al-Baghdadi May Have Had U.S. Hostage Executed, Witness Says|last1=Goldman|first1=Adam|date=November 12, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 14, 2019|last2=Callimachi|first2=Rukmini|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114213417/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/politics/kayla-mueller-baghdadi.html|archive-date=November 14, 2019|url-status=live}}

In February 2024 Asma Mohammed, the widow and first wife of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, expressed her doubts and skepticism regarding the accuracy of the group’s narrative on the death of Kayla Mueller.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's widow doubts ISIS claims on Kayla Mueller's death |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/02/15/Exclusive-Abu-Bakr-al-Baghdadi-s-widow-doubts-ISIS-claims-on-Kayla-Mueller-s-death |website=Al Arabiya English|date=February 15, 2024 }}

Legal proceedings

On February 8, 2016, Umm Sayyaf was charged by American prosecutors in Virginia with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization that resulted in a person's death. The federal charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. She remains in Iraqi custody on terrorism-related charges.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kayla-mueller-isis-wife-1.3439717|title=ISIS leader's wife charged in death of Kayla Mueller, U.S. aid worker|work=cbc.ca|access-date=February 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210060608/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kayla-mueller-isis-wife-1.3439717|archive-date=February 10, 2016|url-status=live}}

In October 2020, Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh were extradited to the US and charged in Mueller's murder.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/national/isis-members-linked-to-arizonas-kayla-muller-in-fbi-custody|title=ISIS members linked to death of Arizona's Kayla Muller in FBI custody|date=October 7, 2020|website=KNXV}} Kotey pleaded guilty to four counts of hostage-taking resulting in death and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2022. Elsheikh was convicted at trial and received eight concurrent life sentences without the possibility of parole.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-29 |title=Alexanda Kotey: IS 'Beatle' sentenced to life in US for murders in Syria |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61274332 |access-date=2022-04-30}}

Reactions

= Family =

File:Carl Mueller (30616441516).jpg in Arizona, October 2016.]]

Mueller's parents reportedly implored ISIS to contact them, as they hoped their daughter might still be alive. “We have sent you a private message and ask that you respond to us privately,” Carl and Marsha Mueller said in a statement. They said they had not talked to the media, as ISIS warned them not to.{{cite web|first1=Ben|last1=Brumfield|first2=Jomana|last2=Karadsheh|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/07/world/isis-jordan/index.html|title=Kayla Mueller's parents appeal to ISIS: 'We are still hopeful'|website=CNN News|date=February 7, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209224735/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/07/world/isis-jordan/index.html|archive-date=February 9, 2015|url-status=live}} Later, in an interview on The Today Show, Carl Mueller expressed his frustration with the Obama administration over the way it conducted negotiations with their daughter's captors, and their policy of not paying ransom money for hostages. "We understand the policy about not paying ransom, but on the other hand, any parents out there would understand that you would want anything and everything done to bring your child home," Mueller said. "And we tried, and we asked. But they put policy in front of American citizens' lives. And it didn't get it changed."{{cite web|last1=Kyung Kim|first1=Eun|title=Kayla Mueller's parents: Why we feel ISIS wanted to release our daughter|url=http://www.today.com/news/kayla-muellers-parents-why-we-feel-isis-wanted-release-our-2D80507618|website=Today.com|access-date=March 15, 2015|date=February 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310163452/http://www.today.com/news/kayla-muellers-parents-why-we-feel-isis-wanted-release-our-2D80507618|archive-date=March 10, 2015|url-status=live}} On February 6, 2020, Kayla Mueller's parents were publicly recognized by President Donald Trump during the 2020 State of the Union Address.{{cite web|first=Jessica|last=Suerth|url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/arizona-native-kayla-mueller-recognized-during-trumps-state-of-the-union-address/75-4580aeab-c21d-43ab-84bb-8062a5d7cd7f|title=Arizona native Kayla Mueller recognized during Trump's State of the Union address|website=FOX 12 Arizona|date=February 5, 2020|accessdate=April 4, 2022}}

= Church =

Kayla Mueller was a member of an ecumenical Christian campus ministry, United Christian Ministries, which held ties to the Presbyterian Church. The denomination stated: "Each of us is called in our own way to make the world a better place and manifest the love of Christ to those around us. Kayla did that in a very profound and tangible way, and my hope is that she inspires others to alleviate suffering in the world and in their own communities."

Hare Krishna Food for Life, for which Mueller was an active volunteer, stated: "Our prayers go out to her family and friends, a wonderful soul who was making a real difference in many people’s lives. Sure she has gone on to a better life in the spiritual realm."

= Government =

An American official cautioned that without proof of Mueller's death, the statement by ISIS could be a ploy to cause the Jordanians and the rest of the American-led coalition to refrain from any heavier airstrikes.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh called ISIS's claim "an old and sick trick" on Twitter. "So they behead innocent #US #UK & Japan hostages & BURN a brave #Jordan pilot ALIVE & now a hostage is killed by an airstrike? Sure! Sick!", he said.{{cite web|first1=Brian|last1=Ross|first2=Lee|last2=Ferren|first3=Rym|last3=Montaz|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-claims-female-american-hostage-killed-airstrike/story?id=28776563|title=ISIS Claims Female American Hostage Killed in Airstrike|work=ABC News|date=February 7, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208081255/https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-claims-female-american-hostage-killed-airstrike/story?id=28776563|archive-date=February 8, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|title=So they behead innocent #US #UK & #Japan hostages & BURN a brave #jordan pilot ALIVE & now a hostage is killed by an airstrike? Sure! Sick!|first=Nasser S.|last=Judeh|authorlink=Nasser Judeh|user=NasserJudeh|number=563767880773169152|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212054318/https://twitter.com/NasserJudeh/status/563767880773169152|archive-date=February 12, 2015|url-status=live}} He further tweeted: "An old and sick trick used by terrorists and despots for decades: claiming that hostages human shields held captive are killed by air raids."{{cite tweet|title=An old and sick trick used by terrorists and despots for decades: claiming that hostages human shields held captive are killed by air raids.|first=Nasser S. |last=Judeh|authorlink=Nasser Judeh|user=NasserJudeh|number=563763021168640000|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212054325/https://twitter.com/NasserJudeh/status/563763021168640000|archive-date=February 12, 2015|url-status=live}} Later upon confirmation of Mueller's death, he tweeted: "Saddened & angered to hear news confirming killing of #US hostage #kaylaMueller. Yet another ugly example of these terrorists' brutality."{{cite tweet|title=Saddened & angered to hear news confirming killing of #US hostage #kaylaMueller. Yet another ugly example of these terrorists' brutality.|first=Nasser S.|last=Judeh|authorlink=Nasser Judeh|user=NasserJudeh|number=565206517515681792|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212054312/https://twitter.com/NasserJudeh/status/565206517515681792|archive-date=February 12, 2015|url-status=live}}

After many Western news outlets cast doubt on the claim of the hostage death and the extremists' ability to identify Jordanian and U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcons flying at high altitudes, Jordan dismissed the claim of a killed hostage as an ISIS publicity stunt and a lie, as the group is known for its propaganda techniques.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-claim-of-killed-us-hostage-is-isis-pr-stunt-2015-2|title=Jordan dismisses claim of killed US hostage as an ISIS 'PR stunt'|first=Colin|last=Campbell|date=February 6, 2015|work=Business Insider|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208223217/http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-claim-of-killed-us-hostage-is-isis-pr-stunt-2015-2|archive-date=February 8, 2015|url-status=live}}

After Mueller's family confirmed her death, President Barack Obama said "[Mueller] 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." United States Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement saying "ISIS, and ISIS alone, is the reason Kayla is gone."{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/10/385182490/u-s-hostage-kayla-mueller-confirmed-dead|title=Family Confirms U.S. Hostage Kayla Mueller Dead|website=NPR|last=Calamur|first=Krishnadev|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210223821/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/10/385182490/u-s-hostage-kayla-mueller-confirmed-dead|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=live}}

The Pentagon declined to investigate whether Mueller was killed by the coalition airstrike. Policy dictates that the US only investigates reports of civilian casualties when they come from a "credible source", which ISIS is not.{{cite web|first1=Shane|last1=Harris|first2=Nancy A.|last2=Youssef|date=April 14, 2017|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/10/isis-hostage-kayla-mueller-is-dead.html|title=U.S. Won't Investigate ISIS Hostage's Death|website=The Daily Beast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211074303/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/10/isis-hostage-kayla-mueller-is-dead.html |archive-date=February 11, 2015|accessdate=February 15, 2015}}

= Recognition =

In October 2015, Mueller became the first person to be posthumously inducted into Northern Arizona University's college of Social and Behavioral Sciences Hall of Fame. She was recognized as an outstanding alumna for her humanitarian aid work.{{cite news |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2015/10/16/kayla-mueller-nau-hall-fame/74082820/ |title=Kayla Mueller to be inducted into NAU college's hall of fame |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 11, 2016 |first=Amy B |last=Wang |newspaper=AZCentral |publisher=Gannett}}{{cite news |url=http://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/news/current-news/item/26377-kayla-mueller-to-be-inducted-in-nau-sbs-hall-of-fame |title=Kayla Mueller to be Inducted in NAU SBS Hall of Fame |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2016 |first=Lynne |last=LeMaster |work=Prescotte News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901035822/http://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/news/current-news/item/26377-kayla-mueller-to-be-inducted-in-nau-sbs-hall-of-fame |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |url-status=live }}

The military operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on October 27, 2019, was code-named after Kayla Mueller, according to several sources.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/something-that-people-should-know-mission-to-kill-baghdadi-named-for-isis-victim-kayla-mueller |title='Something that people should know': Mission to kill Baghdadi named after ISIS victim Kayla Mueller |newspaper=Washington Examiner |date=October 27, 2019 |access-date=4 January 2019 |first=Madison |last=Dibble |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027165913/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/something-that-people-should-know-mission-to-kill-baghdadi-named-for-isis-victim-kayla-mueller |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/oct/27/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-islamic-state-leader-trump-syria |title=ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, says Donald Trump - as it happened |newspaper=The Guardian |date=October 27, 2019 |access-date=4 January 2019 |first=Frances |last=Perraudin |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027151837/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/oct/27/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-islamic-state-leader-trump-syria |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On February 4, 2020, during the 2020 State of the Union Address, President Donald Trump personally recognized Mueller as part of his discussion of tackling ISIS insurgent forces and the military operations directed at taking down prominent members under his administration, directly referencing the Barisha raid in which ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed. During this recognition, he also directly referenced Mueller's parents, Carl and Marsha Mueller, who were in attendance at the address. Several aspects of Mueller's life were mentioned, including her college career, her devotion to humanitarian aid and personal faith, as well as her capture, torture and eventual death at the hands of ISIS terrorists.{{cite news |url=https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2020/02/05/arizona-native-abducted-killed-by-isis-recognized-during-trumps-sotu/ |title=Arizona native abducted, killed by ISIS recognized during Trump's SOTU |newspaper=News 4 Tucson KVOA |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=6 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207020239/https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2020/02/05/arizona-native-abducted-killed-by-isis-recognized-during-trumps-sotu/ |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}

Carl and Marsha Mueller spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, where they described their daughter's ordeal and praised the Trump administration's coordination of the raid that led to the killing of al-Baghdadi.{{Cite web |last=Deliso |first=Meredith |date=2020-08-27 |title=Parents of slain ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller honor daughter with moving address at RNC |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/parents-slain-isis-hostage-kayla-mueller-honor-daughter/story?id=72663317 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Forrest |first=Brett |date=2020-08-27 |title=Parents of Woman Killed by ISIS Criticize Obama Administration |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-rnc-speech-2020/card/v9GLyffjv7PkrXuWYQis |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}

References

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite news

|url = https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-sexually-abused/story?id=33085923

|title = ISIS Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Sexually Abused American Hostage Kayla Mueller, Officials Say

|publisher = ABC News

|author = James Gordon Meek

|date = August 14, 2015

|location = Washington DC

|access-date = August 14, 2015

|quote = The information about al-Baghdadi's extraordinary direct role in the captivity and physical abuse of Kayla Mueller was drawn from, among many sources, the U.S. debriefings of at {{sic|least least}} two Yezedi teenage girls, ages 16 and 18, held as sex slaves in the Sayyaf compound as well as from the interrogation of Abu Sayyaf's wife Umm Sayyaf, who was captured in the U.S. raid, the officials told ABC News.

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150814200058/https://abcnews.go.com/International/isis-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-sexually-abused/story?id=33085923

|archive-date = August 14, 2015

|url-status = live

}}

Category:1988 births

Category:2010s missing person cases

Category:2015 deaths

Category:21st-century American people

Category:21st-century American women

Category:American activists for Palestinian solidarity

Category:American human rights activists

Category:American women human rights activists

Category:American terrorism victims