President Barack Obama met Friday with the family of , the American kidnapped by the Islamic State and confirmed dead last month.
Obama met with parents Carl and Marsha Mueller and brother Eric Mueller in Phoenix while visiting the Veterans Affairs hospital there.
“The Muellers live in Arizona, so this was an appropriate occasion for the president to visit with them,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters Friday.
In this May 30, 2013, photo, Kayla Mueller is shown after speaking to a group in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/The Daily Courier, Matt Hinshaw)
“The president expressed his and the first lady’s condolences for Kayla’s death,” Schultz continued. “He appreciated the chance to hear from the Muellers more about Kayla’s compassion and dedication to assisting those in need around the world, and recognized the family’s efforts to set up the foundation “Kayla’s Hands” to improve the lives of others.”
Kayla Jean Mueller, 26 of Prescott, Arizona, was held by Islamic State militants. She is the fourth American to die while being held by Islamic State militants. Three other Americans – journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid worker Peter Kassig – were beheaded by the group.
