US President Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Kayla Jean Mueller, who had been held by the "Islamic State" in Syria. Her parents have been notified.

On Tuesday, US President Barack Obama announced that Kayla Jean Mueller, a 26-year-old American aid worker held hostage by the "Islamic State" (IS), had died during her imprisonment.

"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," Obama said in a statement released Tuesday. He called IS a "hateful and abhorrent terrorist group."

Members of IS claimed last week that Mueller had been killed during a massive series of bombings conducted by the Jordanian military to avenge the death of a fighter pilot. IS had posted a video of the man burning to death in a cage.

Source: dw.de