Parents of captured aid worker Kayla Mueller ‘hopeful’ she is alive

The parents of Prescott, Ariz. woman Kayla Mueller are “hopeful” she is alive, the BBC reports.

According to a statement from Mueller’s parents, the Northern Arizona University graduate and aid worker was kidnapped in August 2013 near Aleppo, Syria while working with Doctors Without Borders by Islamic State militants.

Mueller’s parents reportedly urged IS to make contact with them and treat their daughter as a guest. They recently made a statement directed at IS after news of their daughter’s death by Jordanian airstrike began to spread.

“This news leaves us concerned, yet, we are still hopeful that Kayla is alive,” they said.

“We have sent you a private message and ask that you respond to us privately. You told us that you treated Kayla as your guest, as your guest her safety and wellbeing remains your responsibility.”