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Mueller's family and friends: "The world wanted to be more like Kayla"

In emotional statements, family and friends of slain American hostage Kayla Mueller spoke Tuesday about her spirit and lifelong mission to help people, whether in her hometown or on the other side of the world
Kayla Mueller's family and friends detail her legacy 02:23

PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Wiping away tears and with breaking voices, family and friends of Kayla Mueller spoke about her life and legacy Tuesday afternoon, hours after her parents and the White House confirmed the American hostage had been killed.

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Terri Crippes and Lori Lyon, aunts of Kayla Mueller, speak about their niece's life during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, in Prescott, Arizona. CBS News

Mueller's aunt, Lori Lyon, described Mueller as "generous, caring and compassionate like our sister, Marsha. She was strong, driven and passionate like our brother-in-law, Carl. She was the best of both of them."

Lyon said her niece was " always standing up for those who were suffering and wanting to be their voice."

Will the death of Kayla Mueller change the U.S. war against ISIS? 06:39

"At a very young age, Kayla knew her passion, she knew her calling. A lot of people never have the opportunity to say that," Lyon said. "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 can ever imagine doing in their lifetime."

Eryn Street, Mueller's best friend, said she "doesn't yet know how to live in a world without Kayla."

Mueller, 26 was kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in August 2013 while working with humanitarian organizations helping Syrian civil war refugees.

On Friday, the terrorist group claimed she had been killed in a Jordanian airstrike, which the U.S. and Jordanian governments have not confirmed.

"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 Tuesday morning. "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."

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports that ISIS sent the family an e-mail telling them their daughter was dead and including a picture. The picture showed that she had died "recently" but the cause and exact date of her death were inconclusive. The U.S. intelligence community was then able to verify the photo.

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