Islamic State US hostage's family still hopeful she is alive

Prescott (US), Feb 9: The parents of a 26-year-old American who has been held hostage for more than a year by Islamic State extremists are clinging to hope that their daughter is alive, having yet to receive information confirming otherwise.

Family friend Todd Geiler yesterday said that the parents of Kayla Jean Mueller, of Prescott, Arizona, are asking the nation and the world to pray for her return. The Islamic State group said Friday that Mueller died in a Jordanian airstrike.

The government of Jordan dismissed the statement as propaganda. US officials say they have not seen any evidence to corroborate the report. Mueller is the only known remaining US hostage held by the Islamic State group. She was taken hostage in August 2013 while leaving a hospital in Syria.

AP