The official confirmation has been given to the parents of Kayla Mueller, the last American hostage in Islamic State custody, that she is indeed dead.

The White House said that Mueller’s family received a private message from her captors over the weekend and the information contained in that communication was authenticated by the U.S. intelligence community. It was not immediately clear how and when Mueller died.

“We are heartbroken to share that we’ve received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life,” Carl and Marsha Mueller said in a statement. “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.”

CNN is reporting that the “confirmation” that the Mueller family received may have been pictures of Kayla, after her death.

ISIS sent Mueller family pictures of their daughter over the weekend showing her death. So sad. Thoughts and prayers w/ family

— Pamela Brown (@PamelaBrownCNN) February 10, 2015

Message from ISIS to Kayla Mueller’s family included pictures that were used to verify her death, US official says

— Ram Ramgopal (@RamCNN) February 10, 2015

Of course, the White House is getting right on bringing the killers to justice. Just like they have for James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and Peter Kassig, who have all been executed at the hands of ISIS. Which means they released a statement. And not even a strong one. It celebrated Kayla Mueller’s life, but said little about getting justice for her death.

Kayla Mueller used these freedoms she so cherished to improve the lives of others. In how she lived her life, she epitomized all that is good in our world. She has been taken from us, but her legacy endures, inspiring all those who fight, each in their own way, for what is just and what is decent. No matter how long it takes, the United States will find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible for Kayla’s captivity and death.

And if you go back and look at the official statements from the White House on the murders of Foley, Sotloff, and Kassig, you will notice that each statement gets progressively shorter and weaker.

At least the president will spare her family the indignity of playing a round of golf today. He has more pressing things to do, like meet with the Congressional Black Caucus. He’ll get right on turning the ISIS forces that dared execute American citizens into glass like the sand at their feet later, mmmkay? After all, with no more American hostages to have to worry about, he’ll get right on that.

Kayla Mueller’s family released a letter from her to the press today, written in captivity and smuggled out, from this last spring. The last part reads:

I DO NOT want the negotiations for my release to be your duty, if there is any other option take it, even if it takes more time. This should never have become your burden. I have asked these women to support you; please seek their advice. If you have not done so already, [REDACTED] can contact [REDACTED] who may have a certain level of experience with these people.

None of us could have known it would be this long but know I am also fighting from my side in the ways I am able + I have a lot of fight left inside of me. I am not breaking down + I will not give in no matter how long it takes. I wrote a song some months ago that says, “The part of me that pains the most also gets me out of bed, w/out your hope there would be nothing left…” aka-The thought of your pain is the source of my own, simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength.

Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I + by God’s will we will be together soon.

All my everything, Kayla

She lived in hope of being rescued, even after months of captivity. It is just too sad that she held hostage by brutal killers who had no regard for her life, only for her political value, and that the government she was hoping would be able to rescue her saw her as a political burden, and therefore expendable by their “strategic patience” standards.

Rest in peace, Kayla, and may your family find peace in their grief.