Memorial held for US woman killed by Islamic miltants

Candles lit up the plaza of a central Arizona courthouse as hundreds gathered to honour the American woman taken hostage by Islamic militants.

Kayla Mueller’s death was confirmed earlier this month by her family and US officials.

The 26-year-old international aid worker from Prescott, Arizona, had been captured in Syria in August 2013. She was killed earlier this month.

Friends, family and strangers wore pink ribbons on their shirts as they listened to speakers reflect on Ms Mueller’s life and work.

Her parents, Carl and Marsha Mueller, did not speak to the crowd, but they mingled afterward and embraced friends.

Eric Mueller encouraged the crowd to live as his sister did by reaching out to people who are suffering and make the community stronger.

“Let Kayla’s heart live on through all of us and the people she touched in life,” he said. “Do what Kayla would do, make the community even stronger.”

The crowd lit candles at the end of the ceremony and followed Carl Mueller’s lead as he stretched his candle toward the sky.