The United States has confirmed that aid worker Kayla Mueller, the last American hostage known to be held by Islamic State (IS) in Syria, has been killed.
Her family was "heartbroken" to learn the news but added that they will continue on in peace, dignity, and love for her, reported the BBC.
They released a letter written by Mueller during her captivity in 2014, in which she assured her family that she had been treated with "utmost respect and kindness."
U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to her by saying that she represented "what is best about America."
The IS had said that she was killed in a Jordanian air strike, but the Pentagon said that there was "no doubt" that the terror outfit killed her.
U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby added that the officials had not yet learnt how Mueller died.
Jordan had earlier denied reports that said Mueller had been killed in air strikes launched by the nation in the wake of the burning of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh by IS.
The 26-year-old woman was abducted while working in Aleppo, Syria in 2013.
