Kayla Mueller's parents wanted her 'to tell the truth'

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) - Kayla Mueller's parents say they wanted their daughter to tell the truth, though doing so may have cost her a chance to gain her freedom from Islamic State militants.

The aid worker was taken hostage in August 2013 along with her Syrian boyfriend. He was released but returned to try to free her by telling the militants that they were married. Kayla Mueller denied it.

Carl Mueller told NBC's "Today" that his daughter's situation "could have gone even more wrong had she lied." And Marsha Mueller said she wanted her "to tell the truth."

The Muellers said they believe Omar Alkhani risked his life to try to save their daughter.

Family and U.S. officials confirmed Mueller's death Feb. 10. The militant group claimed she died in a Jordanian airstrike, but U.S. officials have not confirmed that.