remained kayla. you know, they tried to silence her. they locked her up. they kept us silent out of fear. but now she's free. and she says she found freedom even in captivity and that she is grateful. so her light shines, and we thank you for shining your light not on kayla but shine your light on the suffering that kayla saw. let's tell syria, we hear you, and we're going to do something. thank thanks. >> hi. my name is erin street, and i'm here to talk about kayla mueller. kayla was my closest friend my kindred spirit. i'm going to miss her more deeply than words can express. kayla was joy, and with her life was always fun. a memory that always makes me laugh is when our car broke down a half mile from my mom's house. we could have easily walked that half mile and found someone to tow the car. but what fun would that be be? so instead we turned on bob marley full broadcast on the radio and with the car in neutral we started pushing that car home only pausing moments to take some silly pictures. our

we convey our condolences to kayla's family and all those who loved kayla dearly. at this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their grief. as you know isis claimed a jordanian air strike over syria killed kayla. there's there's no information on how kayla was killed but the last paragraph reads like this. "isil is a hateful terrorist group whose actions stand in stark contrast to the spirit of people like kayla. on this day we take comfort in knowing the future belongs not to those who destroy but human goodness that kayla mueller should forever represent." i just talked to one of kayla's former professors yesterday. she was in zimbabwe doing humanitarian work. she said all she wanted to do was help needy people in syria and spread love around the world and do good things and then somehow in 2013 she was captured by isis and held in captivity. no word was mentioned of the american woman who was held by isis but then we came to know that the name of that person which was kayla mueller, when isis claimed she was killed by a jordanian air strike. let

. >> kayla has touched the heart of the world. the world grieves with us. the world mourns with us. >> reporter: there are no words for such loss but today loved ones tried. >> the world wants to be more like kayla. >> reporter: an outpouring of heartache for 26 year old kayla mueller, the aid worker turned hostage whose death was confirmed after her parents received proof directly from isis. >> she has done more in her incredible 26 years than many people can imagine doing in their lifetime. >> reporter: her aunt and best friend talking about the kayla they knew. >> kayla was my closest friend, my kindred spirit. i'm going to miss her more deeply than words can express. >> reporter: isis says they did not kill kayla mueller, that she was killed by a jordanian air strike. >> they held her hostage, they held her in captivity, and isis is the one responsible for her death. >> reporter: her family wants to remember her with images from happyier times. just the thought of you, she wrote, sends me to a fit of tears. if you could say i

what can we tell you about kayla? kayla was a combination of marsha and karl.he was generous caring compassionate like our sister marsha. she was strong driven and passionate like our brother-in-law karl. she was the best of both of them. she had a quiet calming presence. she was a free spirit, always standing up for those who were suffering and wanting to be their voice. even as a little girl, kayla was a bright and inquisitive kind little girl. at a very young age, kayla knew her passion. she knew her calling. a lot of people never have the opportunity to say that. kayla's calling was to help those who were suffering, whether in her hometown of prescott or on the other side of the world. she has done more in her incredible 26 years than many people could ever imagine doing in their lifetime. my daughter said to me, things that were important to kayla are finally getting the attention that they deserve. kayla has touched the part of the world, the world grieves with us. the world mourns with us. the world wants to be more like kayla. and if that is her legacy

this goes on to the family from kayla. the fact that her family had been in communication with some within isis they have now said that the report about a rescue that's not true had been reported they did not want a rescue, a team going in and trying to save her, but what are we to learn from the fact her family was able to communicate so directly with isis including this confirmation? >> i think without having the entire chain of facts presented, it is difficult. it is a telling and revealing exchange, more so about her captors and those that were taken hostage. why they wanted her to communicate with her family i think is very telling. were they at some point interested in using her as you know, they wanted proof of life to use her for some kind of negotiation or to try to release somebody else that isis had wanted with the jordanians or anyone else, it reveals a compassionate side of kayla that she could use the language she used. in the coming days and hours there will be a lot of questions about the surrounding kayla,

kayla has touched the heart of the world. >> kayla mueller moved to the turkish-syrian border in late 2012 to work with syrian refugees. she had previously worked with refugees overseas including tibetan refugees in india, african refugees in israel, and palestinian refugees in the occupied territories. on tuesday, president obama said he is heartbroken by mueller's death, but defended u.s. policy blocking negotiations and ransom payments to militant groups like isis. we will speak with her college roommate later in the broadcast. president obama has urged vladimir putin to accept a peace deal with ukraine while warning of "rising costs" if the russia leader does not. obama and putin spoke by phone ahead of today's talks between russia, ukraine, germany and france in belarus. the white house says obama stressed "the importance of seizing the opportunity," of the negotiations, while also warning "the costs will rise," if russia continues military backing for ukrainian rebels. obama's call to putin came one day after he said he's considering arming the ukrainian government. a number of

ksaz reporter, live for us now in kayla's hometown of prescott arizona. >> kayla's family officiallyn of her death this morning. and as you can imagine, the family is devastated and heart broken. kayla is from the prescott area, this is a very small town, a tight knit community, her family was well known in this community. she went to northern arizona university, about an hour north of here and her friends and her family describe her desire to go to places like syria and help it was almost like a calling they say she saw inge justice in the wormtd andanted to be there and she wanted to help. in a statement the family released this morning, kaywe are so proud of the person kayla was and the work that she did while she was here with us. she lived with purpose and we will work every day to honor her legacy. gretchen, her family says she often spoke of the joy it gave her to be there and to help. >> all right thank you so much for that report, andrew. and of course the family is going to be holding a press conference in about an hour and a half in now. >>> well, now we have an exclusive

they would share their kayla. sure they are still very consistent in both of those of sharing with open generosity. i'm returning to prescott by friday night because i simply must be a part of this. >> professor carol thompson, we're so sorry for your loss. we're so appreciative of your strength and we also know the family no doubt is as well. thank you so much for being with us. >> thank you for letting kayla speak. it's very important. >> through you she does. thank you so much. >>> we'll continue to follow this breaking news of course. let's get back over to the white house as we've learned that the president has spoken with the mueller family. has called the mueller family. that's where we have our white house correspondent michelle kosinski with more on that. >> reporter: the president did speak with the family. the white house isn't giving a time frame on this. they're not saying that it happened last night as has been reported. but offering condolences. talking about wanting to bring kayla's captors to just

remained kayla. they tried to silence her. they locked her up. they kept us silent out of here but now she's free. even in captivity and that she is grateful. her light shines. we thank you. syria, we hear you. we're going to do something. >> hi. my name is erin street and i'm here to talk about kayla mueller. kayla was my closest friend my kindred spirit. i'm going to miss her more deeply than words can express. kayla was joy. with her, life was always fun. a memory that always makes me laugh is when her car broke down a half a mile from our house. instead, we turned on bob marley on full blast on the radio and we started pushing that chariot home. our last road trip together was january of 2010. i was moving from illinois to arizona and she joined me and my two cats as our traveling companion. it was a difficult journey as i was leaving my -- >> okay. we are clearly having some audio problems. we will return to that press conference when we get the audio back up. i want to bring in brian katulis ka

but we feel they really did want to release kayla. >> reporter: the muellers say kayla never would have wanted isis to profit. do you feel our government did enough to help you help her? >> i think they wanted to. but i think, again, the policy and i don't think anyone had any idea this group would be as powerful as they were. >> reporter: last summer u.s. special forces attempted a daring secret rescue of kayla and other western hostages but by the time they arrived the hostages were gone. the rescue attempt and there's been some reporting that some people involved in it felt like they were too slow to approve it. that washington kind of dragged its heels a little bit. >> yeah. i mean they're so cautious about getting actionable intel. you don't want to put soldiers in harm's way without knowing exactly the circumstances. but, yeah i think they waited too long. we had an idea where they were. and it was 30 days i think, before they took action. >> reporter: the rescue effort unsuccess unsucces kayla's family could only watch as one by one the other hostages were brutally executed. ther

in a letter to her father on his birthday in 2011, this is before kayla had been taken hostage, kayla wrote this, i find god in the suffering eyes reflected in mine. if this is how you are revealed to me, this is how i will forever seek you. i will always seek god. some people find god in church. some people find god in nature. some people find god in love. i find god in suffering. i've known for some time what my life's work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering. kayla was drawn to help those displaced by the syrian civil war. she first traveled to turkey in december of 2012 to provide humanitarian aid to syrian refugees. she told us of the great joy that she took in helping syrian children and their families. we are so proud of the person kayla was and the work that she did while she was here with us. she lived with a purpose and we will work every day to honor her legacy. our hearts are breaking for our only daughter. but we will continue on in peace, dignity and love for her. we remain heartbroken also for the families of the other captives who did not make it home safe

today, kayla's parents confirmed their daughter is dead. killed while the islamic state terrorists held her hostage. in minutes, we will share kayla's handwritten letter with you, and we'll bring you specific details about her captivity captivity. details we could not report earlier because of our concerns for her safety. we're also expecting a pentagon briefing on the latest news. it's set to begin at any moment. we will take you there for live coverage. and this comes as we get confirmation that jordanian troops are now on iraq's border. what is about to happen there, if anything? plus as we fight the islamic state, and keep an uneasy eye on the world's trouble spots we're taking a closer look at america's military readiness. is the navy fleet really shrinking? and what about the army the air force and the marines? just how prepared are we for the next fight? we'll get the facts. so let's get to it. >> breaking news shepard smith reporting live from the fox news desk. >> a very busy news hour ahead. we're following major developments in t

kayla was like family was the same age as her daughter and she was really struck by kayla's determination to help people there in any way that she could despite the fact that she didn't have a direct connection having been born in the region like aruba was. she tells us that kayla was with her the night before she left for syria. the two had dinner together. she warned kayla of the dangers of going into syria. kayla was determined to see the devastation firsthand and wanted to help those people who couldn't get out of syria and wanted to find a way to be able to take medicine or take them food or water or money. she tells us that kayla went into syria with three other people. three people who are syrians including a photographer a man named omar who she believed was a boyfriend and a driver and another person and all four were captured. listen. >> they were in a car. they stopped them. they wanted to know what they are going to do what are they doing in syria and in that dangerous area. kayla sent us a audio maybe 10 15 second audio asking for help and her voice was really very sick and s

officials have confirmed the death of kayla mueller, a u.s.t of 2013. the president said in a statement, quote, it is with profound satness that we have learned of the death of kayla mueller. on behalf of the american people michelle and i convey our deepest condolences to kayla's family her parents marsha and carl and her brother eric and his family and all of those who loved kayla dearly. at this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their misery. but it is not known at the date and manner of her death. >> there was no evidence of civilians in the area prior to the coalition strike taking place and that would call into question the claims made by isil. what is not possible to call into question is that isil is responsible for her death. >> and her family is expected to speak at 4:00 p.m. eastern time and we'll bring her statement live when it comes

kayla mueller, dead in syria, age 26. information out of arizona washington, d.c. and syria, david webb, host of the david webb radio show, siriusxm patriot and columnist on "the hill." leslie marshall, syndicated talk show host. both our guests. kayla mueller 26. she is dead in syria david, it rots your heart. >> it does, bill. walid phares made a very important point. i will say it even more bluntly of the americans and people around the world need to pay attention what is going on in radical muslim controlled areas no aid worker especially a woman should go to these countries. when you're dead, you're not going to be able to help the people that you're actually help. credit to her for her courage but also reality has to be dealt with that is something we should put out as a warning to the world. bill: when she went to syria isis was not in the form that it is today. and i think what that shows, david, and leslie i will let you answer this, how quickly this group has become so murderous, so fast. >> very very true. i ag

kayla's letter will be historic. it is such a flash of brilliant humanity amidst some of the most horrible scenes that we've seen. and i think it is excruciating talking with any of those that have been involved with this effort to get these various hostages away. peter theo curtis was involved with qatari captors, these isis group has yet to -- at least with any americans has not released a single american hostage. they have ransomed out other hostages but no americans. this is just a terrible terrible situation. >> we should remember james foley, steven sutloff and they were with kayla mueller and they were beheaded horrifically. what do we know about the special forces last july 4th that tried to find them and apparently a couple of days too late. they found evidence she was there, strands of hair. >> i think special forces operation -- what i can say is that -- let me say this. john mccain, senator john mccain has been in touch with the mueller family -- >> he has been -- >> constituents with joe donnelly talked

but i want to wrap up with kayla, not with anything else with kayla's letter she sent her loved ones.f this letter in its entirety when we speak of her. i am going to finish this broadcast reading her letter to her loved ones from captivity. everyone, if you're receiving this letter it means i am still detained, but my cell mates have been released. i have asked them to contact you and send you this letter. it is hard to know what to say. please know that i am in a safe location completely unharmed and healthy, put on weight in fact. i have been treated with the utmost respect and kindness. i want to write you all a well thought out letter but i didn't know if my cell mates would be leaving in the coming days or months restricting my time but primarily i could only write letter paragraph at a time just the thought of you sends me into fit of tears. if you could say i have suffered at all throughout this experience it is only in knowing how much suffering i have put you all through. i will never ask you to forgive me as i do not deserve forgiveness. i remember mom always telling me tha

kayla is held captive in syria. >> kayla has touched the heart of the world. world grieves with us. the world mourns with us the word wants to be more like kayla, and as sad as her regularly and the footprint she leaves on the world then that is a wonderful thing. >> 12 people have been killed in a rocket attack in the eastern ukrainian city on the've of international talks aimed at bringing an end to the violence. greece's parliament is -- and further strained relations with it's international lenders. you, vladimir putin has p whered up his two day visit to egypt. he held talks with his egyptian counter part on a number of issues. he has a special russian gift for his host. when your adversaries are trying to isolate you go and visit you friends egypt rolled out the red carpet, putin brought a gift in return, a rifle for fellow. this is a relationship that suits both men very well rat the moment we have confirmed that we are standing side by said to face our challenges in the shadow of the spread of the wicked terrorism that the whole world is sufficient eki

kayla mueller is dead. >> kayla's calling was to help those who were suffering, whether in her home town of prescott or the other side of the world. >> pelley: david martin has what we know about how she died at the hands of isis, and we'll look back at her extraordinary life. buried in boston. jericka duncan on the city reaching the breaking point. >> the whole ceiling just came in like a frailty train. we just ran. >> pelley: as the mooltses outbreak spreads, jim axelrod looks at the fears and facts about vaccinating kids. >> it looks like he has a weapon. >> pelley: and john blackstone has the great escape attempt. captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with scott pelley. >> pelley: good evening. in just a few short days america came to know kayla mueller and her too short life that was dedicated to helping people in need. so today when her family confirmed that she had died as a captive of isis, the entire country shared their pain, pain that was visible on the faces of her friends and relatives. mueller was captureed by the islamic terrorist group in syria in the

he says he was heart broken over the news that 26-year-old kayla muller was killed. jamie mcintyre has the story. >> reporter: the white house confirmed an f-16 bombed a storage facility in raqqa last friday. they cast doubt on the i.s.i.l. assertion that that strike killed kayla muller. >> the evidence we have is no civilians in the area prior to the strike taking place, calling into question the claims by i.s.i.l. >> photographic evidence by i.s.i.l. that after analysis by the community confirmed kayla's death, but not how she died. the pentagon will not conduct the usual investigation into unintended casualties because it doesn't consider the oil claim to be legitimate. >> we don't have a credible indication that there were civilian casualties as a result of the strike. let's not forget in whose hands this woman died. let's not forget who is responsible, iail. >> in a statement president obama said muller epitomized all that was good in the world. the young aide worker working with syrian refugees was a consite unit john mccain who yulo guised her on the senate fl

this is about the death of american hostage kayla mueller. they received the horrible news of their daughter's death in a private communication from her isis captors over the weekend. american intelligence officials later authenticated that message and confirm thad the 26-year-old aid worker was dead. late today president obama standing by a boil ofpolicy of not negotiating with deaths spoke about mourning the death of the first american woman held by isis. >> my immediate reaction is heartbreak. i've been in touch with the family. she was an outstanding young woman and a great spirit. i think that spirit will leave on. the more people learn about her the more they appreciate what she stood for and how it stands in contrast with the barbaric organization that held her captive. i don't think it's accurate to say that the united states government hasn't done everything we could. we devoted enormous resources to freeing captives or hostages anywhere in the world. i deployed an entire oerms at significant risks. probably missed them by a day or t

kayla mueller, the young american aid worker abducted by isis is dead. the family of the 26-year-old from arizona learning of her death in the most hideous way, an e-mail privately sent from isis with a chilling attachment. apparently photos showing her body. the body of the young woman who dedicated her life to helping others. how she ended up in syria explained in this youtube video. >> i am in solidarity with the syrian people. i reject the brutality and killing that the syrian authorities are committing against the syrian people. >> what we still don't know is how kayla died. isis claimed she was killed last week in that jordanian air strike on this specific building. it's a claim jordan vehemently denies calling it pure propaganda. the white house didn't say what these photos show but they say isis is responsible for her death. >> there's no evidence of civilians in the target area prior to the coalition strike taking place. and that certainly would call into question the claims that are made by isil. what is not possible to call into question is th

you interviewed a friend of kayla's. she told you she heard an audio recording of kayla during her captivity. we have not heard about anything like that. what else dildd she tell you? >> reporter: that's right. she says it was about two and a half two three months after kayla mueller was taken hostage that she sent an audio message. that audio message was sent to a mutual friend of theirs who works with an ngo. it was very short. just 10 to 15 seconds and she pleaded for help. listen to what she describes what she heard. >> her voice was really very sick and sad. please try to help me. get me out of here. i'm so sick. i'm dying. >> she said i'm so sick. i'm dying? >> yes. >> reporter: we have not heard this message but that is what she says she heard. keep in mind she says that kayla mueller was like a family member to her. she says the two met in turkey. they worked with the refugees together. she said she has a daughter about the same age as ka kayla. she said after that heard that message everybody jumped into action

wendy gillete parents are hopeful that kayla is still alive. >> friends and family of 26- year-old, kaylall don't know if she's alive. isis claims a jordanian air

what made kayla special to you? inquisitive and very willing to explore very serious problems at multiple levels and in their complexity. and at the same time she was highly compassionate. as she learned about the different perspectives and the major differences across cultures and religions and politics she also was compassionate about the differences. >> and that that makes her distinctive from many other americans. young or old. >> i understand that point very well. it's not unusual to find a supersmart kid these days but one whose heart is advanced as their head is rare. one of the things that came across in one of the letters to her family is this -- and i want to read it for the audience and for your take on it as the young woman that you knew. you've been shown in darkness light and have learned that even in prison one can be free. i am grateful i have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it. now that is the kind of sentiment you might expect from a much older

kayla's parents did not work but one of her aunts did. obviousl it was very emotiona let's listen. >> she has done more in her 26 years than many people can ever say they have done in their lifetime.e wor wants to be more like kayla, and as bad as her legacy and the footprint that she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing. she wrote, "i have come see there good in every situatio we just have to look for it." and right now that's what we're all trying to do. >> the parents of kayla mueller annound ts morning that they got evidence that she was indeed hostage. we do not know where or how her death took place. back to you. >>> right now, many communities in the northeast are taking drastic steps to get rid of record amounts of snow. and to make matters worse, there's snow on the way. >> nbc's sarah dollop talked to one resident who said what in others feeling -- f >> repor no break from the winter sie in the northeast. while the snow has stopped falling for now, the clean far from over. >> i'm so sick of it. i'm so sick of it.

will bring to justice those responsible for kayla's death. the president will ask congress for this new authorization to use military force against isis but he is asking a congress deeply divided over the possibility of using u.s. combat troops. so the legislation apparently is going to include language to apiece both sides rngs but it's still highly unlikely to get approved quickly. >> my immediate reaction is just heartbreak. >> just a day after the retaliation, president obama will ask congress to authorize a three-year plan to use military force against a terror group. this one would open the door for the use of ground troops but prohibit a lengthy offensive. while many democrats are weary of beginning a drawn out mission in the middle east some republicans want all options on the table in the fight against isis. yesterday the president revealed to "buzzfeed" news efforts were made last year to rescue caleb mueller and other americans held be by the terror group. >> once we start doing that not only are we financing their slaughter of inn

government is doing enough to save kayla? >> well kayla's response that she got from the syrians is where is the world? i think that's still a very important question. where is the whole world in moral outrage, not only government but peoples. i think it's very important that americans say, this is enough kayla or peter or steve or james. so my interpretation of what kayla taught me is the whole world takes responsibility not one government not two governments. and certainly not the few that are on the front line for peace and for justice. >> professor carol thompson live from zimbabwe thank you so much for being with me this morning. i appreciate it. >> thank you for giving voice to kayla. any time. still to come in the "newsroom," brian williams reporting during hurricane katrina launched him into the national spotlight. now the nbc anchor is facing new scrutiny over what he says happened there. we'll talk about that more next. so what about that stock? actually, knowing the kind of risk that you're comfortable with i'd ste

kayla mueller is who we are. in need for a big salary or media attention or the pursuit of celebrity. she was there in uniform. she carried no weapon other than goodwill. she should remind us that we are a shining city on the hill that the world is looking to for leadership. we are the good guys fighting against evil and we owe it to her to get our strategy right. kayla's parents today said it best. she was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. she dedicated the whole of her life to helping those in need. we should all strive to be more like kayla. >>> the captivity of an american hostage takes a tragic turn as a fresh fight over war powers comes to capitol hill. it is tuesday, february 10th, and this is "now." >> we may be on the verge of a escalation in the fight with isis terrorists. >> the family of american aid worker kayla mueller has received proof that their daughter was killed. >> she wanted people to stop this fighting that has killed so many people. >> u.s. officials cannot confirm exactly how or w

>>> kayla has touched the heart of the world. the world grieves with us. the world mourns with us. >>> heartbreak at home. while members remember kayla mueller, president obama vows to bring her captors to justice. >>> the helicopter we were traveling in was forced down after we were hit by an rpg. >> the story that got brian williams suspended. they pulled the news desk off for six months without pay for fabricating what it was like to cover the iraq war. >> it's time for someone else to have that opportunity. >> and jon stewart shocks fans of "the daily show" by announcing he's departing the show he's hosted for nearly 17 years. captioning funded by cbs >>> this is the "cbs morning news" for wednesday, february 11th 2015. good morning. i'm lauren lyster in for anne-marie green. this morning family and friends are mourning the death of american aid worker kayla mueller. mueller died while being held by isis terrorists. her death was confirmed yesterday, but u.s. officials don't know how or when she died. she was held hostage for 18 months. president obama

you know kayla mueller's family at one point got a $6 million ransom demand from isis. nobody has heard much about kayla mueller until today and now, across washington agencies are looking into every scrap of information to see if they can determine what happened to her. the isis claim, kayla mueller, a 26-year-old american aid worker died in a jordanian air strike on this building in roqqa, syria. immediate skepticism. isis claims mueller alone was killed by a second round of air strikes by jordanian f-16s. >> that seems very convenient from that point of view that she would be alone in this building without any other guards who are all supposedly out at friday prayers when this air strike happened to hit the house and they are of course saying it was from a jordanian aircraft. how on earth could they know that it was a jordanian aircraft rather than another aircraft from the united states or some other power. >> reporter: jordan calling the isis claim quote, the latest low p.r. stunt and said isis is trying to drive a wedge between the coalition. key questions, how wo

the world wants to be more like kayla. and if that is her legacy and the footprint that she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing. in kayla's letter to marsha and karl she wrote, i have come to see there is good in every situation. sometimes we just have to look for it. and right now that's what we're all trying to do. >> and her family releasing that letter that kayla wrote to them this last spring. officials i've been speaking with say the fact that kayla may have been able to gain favor with her captors could be why her death was handled differently. in other cases isis has exploited their deaths as propaganda. there may have been concern in kayla's case that murdering a woman and publicizing her death could offend others impacting isis' fund-raising and recruiting efforts. wolf, we know right now the intelligence community is trying to figure out how and when kayla died. >> though theyconfirmed that she is in fact dead. they want the specifics. pamela, thanks very much for that. >>> after the fall of a ke

analysis confirmed kayla had died. her aunts spoke for the family in arizona. >> kayla has touched the heart of the wor. the rlgrwi us. the world mourns with us. >> report: kayla mueller was only 24 when she went to syria to help the victims of that civil war. she was captured by isis. her family kept that secret from the public but president obama knew and got regular briefings. "no matter how long it takes the unitedt will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsibleor kayla's captivity and death." >> i want to express the deepest condolento kayla's parents, marsha ana mueller. >> reporte there's outrage on capitol hil where the president wts congre to formally aho his war against isis that has now killed four americans. >> i think it just strengthens our resolve and i hope it strengtheniniol resolve. >> repor after isis burned alive jordanian pilot last week and that arab nation stepped its air strikes, isis on friday claimed kayla was killed by a jordanian bomb. the whitese denied that today bu said

the american hostage kayla mueller's death is confirmed. cnn has learned isis has plans also to kidnap more westerners. how will this affect the overall u.s. strategy? >>> and later, we'll take you live to ukraine where shelling continues, escalating indeed just hours before important peace talks begin. [ male announcer ] we know they're out there. you can't always see them. but it's our job to find them. the answers. the solutions. the innovations. all waiting to help us build something better. something more amazing. a safer, cleaner brighter future. at boeing, that's what building something better is all about. ♪ ♪ >>> we're back now with the breaking news the death of a u.s. aid worker kayla mueller now confirmed by her own family. let's bring in our panel to discuss what this means in the overall fight against isis. joining us bobby ghosh, lieutenant general mark hertling and bob baer, our national security analyst. bobby, the horrific killing of the jordanian pilot, now the confirmation that kayla mueller has died. we don't know when

his family and all of those who loved kayla dearly. at this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their misery. but it is not known at the date and manner of her death. >> there was no evidence of civilians in the area prior to the coalition strike taking place and that would call into question the claims made by isil. what is not possible to call into question is that isil is responsible for her death. >> and her family is expected to speak at 4:00 p.m. eastern time and we'll bring her statement live when it comes in. and keir simmons is live at amman, jordan. and how do we know it is a jordanian air strike and the u.s. saying they still cannot verify that fact? >> reporter: well, i think it is extremely difficult to verify because nbc news understands from a senior u.s. official that the family learned that she had died because they were sent a photograph of her and that indicates that she did -- those pictures aren't inconsistent with traumatic injuries. but of course it is very difficult from a photograph to be more

>> let me start with kayla.esents all that's good in this world, and isis. isil, daesh, whatever you want to call them all that's bad. that's really what this is all about. isn't it? today at 9:00 the president will send over his seeking of an authorization for the use of military force, and that's the first step. that's the tradition step where the president sends over and seeks that. that puts it over in the legislative cord, and so now this is oversight. this is what we do here. so over the course of the next period of time joe what we'll be doing is seeking to understand what strategy the white house and the administration has to deal with isil. that's a very important role for us. >> chairman, do you agree with bob woodward's reporting and generals in the pentagon there does not seem to be a clear strategy to defeat this evil force? >> it is very difficult to understand what the pathway to success is, but, joe, look again, this is the first step. i think all of us understand the importance of this. it's the

the world wants to be more like kayla. and if that is her legacy and the footprint she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing. >> reporter: u.s. officials tell nbc news the family received a photograph of mueller that appeared to show her dead with trauma injuries, but it's difficult to determine the cause of death. in a statement mueller's parents say, our hearts are breaking for our only daughter, but we will continue on in peace, dignity and love for her. her family also released a letter handwritten by mueller last spring while she was in captivity. i have a lot of fight left inside of me, she wrote. i'm not breaking down and i will not give in, no matter how long it takes. >> i am in solidarity with the syrian people. >> reporter: 26-year-old mueller was working for aid groups along the turkish/syrian border when she was captured near aleppo in august 2013. in a statement president obama says, no matter how long it takes the united states will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible f

kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. she dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace. kayla was drawn to help those displaced by the syrian civil war. she first travelled to turkey in december 2012 to provide humanitarian aid to syrian refugees. she told us of the great joy she took in helping syrian children and their families. now, kayla clearly showing through her actions her determination, her resolve to really make this world a better place. certainly she did that in her short time touching many many lives. her parents say they're extremely proud of her and they'll now work to honor her legacy brooke. >> incredible young woman. ana cabrera, thank you so much. joining me now, two parents all too familiar with the fear and pain kayla mueller's parents have endured. debra and mark have been hoping for the safe return of their son austin since he disappeared in 2012 reporting in syria. austin didn't shy from conflict zones. in fact he was at the center of the arab spring

the world wants to be more like kayla. and if that is her legacy and the footprint that she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing. >> just devastating. president obama called the family as well? >> reporter: yeah, that's right. we understand he spoke with both of kayla's parents, he expressed his condolences and pledged to relentlessly pursue those who had a hand in her death and we know the priority right now of the u.s. government working with the family to try to bring kayla mueller's body back to arizona so that this community and her family, most importantly, can have some closure and kayla can rest surrounded by those who love her, anderson. >> ana cabrera, thank you very much. we read portions of kayla's letter tonight, however, because we think you'll find it worth reading in full, we posted all of it on our web site, ac360.com. quick reminder set your dvr to watch "360" any time you want. just ahead, the bombshell that jon stewart is leaving "the daily show" and also brian williams suspended for six

but not kayla. andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington. >>> a jury has now been seated in a murder trial connected to the hit movie "american sniper." it concerns the death of chris kyle, the former navy s.e.a.l. whose autobiography inspired the oscar-nominated film. jacob rascon has our report tonight from stephenville, texas. >> reporter: it's hard to find anyone in erath county texas, who hasn't heard of chris kyle. the welsh family lived across the street from him. >> kept asking, chris, what are you going to do the rest of your life? you going to be a cowboy the rest of your life? he said, no, i'm going to join the navy and be a navy s.e.a.l. >> reporter: kyle served four tours in iraq earning the title america's deadliest sniper. what is now the top grossing war movie of all time sold out for weeks in stephenville. in 2012 kyle sat down with lester holt. >> if i could figure out a number of people i'd saved, that's something i would brag about. >> reporter: one year later kyle and close friend c

the world wants to be more like kayla.and if that is her legacy and the footprint that she leaves orrinon the world, then that is a wonderful thing. >> relatives and friends of kayla mueller, the fourth american hostage killed by isis in a rescue attempt. the president talked about that tonight. a rescue attempt had failed in the summer to get her before isis killed her and we just don't know how as of yet. now, there's still reaction to this interview where the president talked about the attacks in paris. take a listen to today's exchanges. >> it is entirely legitimate for the american people to be deeply concerned when you've got a bunch of violent, vicious zealot zealots who behead people or randomly shoot a bunch of folks in a deli in paris. >> the adverb the president chose was used to indicate that the individuals who were killed in that terrible tragic incident were killed not because of who they were, but because of where they randomly happened to be. >> they weren't killed because they were in a jewish deli though

who is kayla mueller. her family is releasing photos.oung aide worker taken captive nearly two years ago. the u.s. response. will there be changes in america's war against terror? if isis runs out of western hostages to threaten and exploit. we want to welcome our viewers in the united states and around the world. i'm wolf blitzer. you are in "the situation room".." >>> let's get to breaking news. u.s. intelligence officials are scrambling to determine if an american hostage is in fact dead as isis claims. if so how did she die? the terror group alleges that 26-year-old kayla mueller was killed today by a jordanian air strike. jordan's military is continuing its pounding attacks on isis targets in syria in retaliation for the brutal murder of its captured pilot. tonight there's no proof to back up isis' claims at all. a key member of the u.s. senate intelligence and foreign relations committee, he is standing by to tell us what he is learning. we have our correspondents an analysts in the united states and around the world. they are work

aid worker kayla mueller died. >> they sent word of her death in a private death showing kayla wrapped in a burial shroud. we have more on her remarkable life and legacy. >> reporter: kayla mueller's parents received word of their daughter's death in a message from isis. a message that included photos that confirmed the 26-year-old is dead. what is still not known is how she died. late today kayla's aunt remember a caring courageous young woman. >> kayla's calling was to help those who were suffering, whether in her hometown of press cots or on the other side of the world. she has done more in her incredible 26 years than many people can ever imagine doing in their lifetime. >> reporter: while in captivity, mueller sent a letter to her parents which they released to. it reads in part "if you could say i have suffered at all throughout this whole experience it is only in knowing how much suffering i have put you all through. i will never ask you to forgive me, as i do not deserve forgiveness." mueller had worked with humanitarian groups in india, israel and the palestinian territories,