Kayla Mueller, a Christian aid worker taken captive by ISIS, was killed in 2015.
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In the proof of life video, which was made by ISIS and sent to her parents, who have just released it to ABC, she says: “My name is Kayla Mueller”.
Kayla’s entire proof of life video will be shown for the first time in an upcoming ABC News 20/20 special about her life – and death – in captivity.
“He [Obama] said, ‘I’m a father, I have two daughters, ‘” Carl said.
The young American woman was kidnapped on August 4, 2013, while she was leaving a Spanish Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo, Syria.
She had been travelling in a DWB vehicle from Syria to Turkey, with her boyfriend Omar Alkhani, when the pair were taken captive by ISIS militants.
Other hostages said Mueller of Prescott, Arizona, kept a positive outlook while sharing a 12-by-12 room with brick walls and a single light bulb where she could only tell if it was daytime if a bit of light appeared through a small vent.
The video is believed to be the only footage of her in captivity. And she is much stronger than you guys. Later, it came out that the White House sat on good intelligence about her location and that of other hostages for nearly two months before attempting a rescue, long after they had been moved.
Fellow hostage Daniel Rye, a Danish photographer, shared an example of Mueller’s bravery when her terrorist captors brought her before some male hostages being held next door to her cell. If that was my daughter being held, I’d do everything I could to get her out.
The president in June 2015 said it was “totally unacceptable” for his administration to threaten hostage families with prosecution.
Saide and Chavez said they managed to smuggle out three letters written by Mueller. “They had no power. They had no money yet they stayed steady in their compassion and outreach to others”.
ABC 20/20 is airing its investigation of Mueller’s death which includes never before seen video of Mueller while held hostage and an interview with Mueller’s parents who say President Obama promised to make an anonymous donation to Mueller’s foundation.
She said she was honored to meet Obama, but she is also frustrated that she has yet to receive help from either her insurance companies or the government.
“What a fitting – what a fitting tribute”, McCain said, his voice finally breaking with emotion, as Marsha Mueller reached over to hug the war hero senator.
Emily Lenzner, a spokeswoman for the Muellers, told the AP the couple would not comment further.
The White House confirmed Obama hasn’t yet donated to the nonprofit group, but officials insisted he still plans to contribute.
The president and first lady Michelle Obama donated about $64,000 in 2015 to 34 charities – almost 15 percent of their adjusted gross income.
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According to Chris Voss, a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation chief hostage negotiator, the proof-of-life video of Mueller in seemingly good health, served as an olive branch to the Mueller family.
