PHOENIX (AP) — The Syrian boyfriend of an Arizona woman who was taken hostage by Islamic State militants says she remained selfless even while she was held captive.
Omar Alkhani told The Associated Press on Sunday that he returned to Syria months after he and Kayla Mueller were captured at gunpoint outside a hospital to try to secure her release by posing as her husband.
His plan failed.
Alkhani says Mueller might not have recognized he was there to save her and instead wanted to ensure his safety.
Such was the nature of the 26-year-old woman. Alkhani says she was content without new clothes, a hair dryer, makeup and much of the wages she earned as an international aid worker so she could help others.
The U.S. government confirmed her death last week.
