Overnight, Islamic State militants released a video purporting to show the murder of captured 26-year-old American aid worker Peter Kassig, a video that has since been authenticated by the US government.
Kassig had served in the US military in the Middle East in 2012, but later returned to start his own relief organisation. He was providing medical aid to Syrians last year when he was captured by ISIS.
The New Daily report that, prior to Kassig’s murder, he wrote a final letter to his family, saying that he was not angry about his situation, and assuring them that he “went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering.”
You can read the full text of the letter below:
via Twitter
Kassig’s family have since released a statement of their own, expressing heartbreak at the passing of their son, who allegedly underwent a religious conversion while imprisoned:
“We are heartbroken to learn that our son has lost his life as a result of his love for the Syrian people.” #Kassig pic.twitter.com/5TbmxSs9Fk
— Kassig Family (@kassigfamily) November 16, 2014
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has condemned Kassig’s execution as “utterly barbaric.” He is the fifth foreign aid worker to be killed in such a manner in recent months.
Image via Twitter
