Kayla Mueller candlelit memorial vigil held in Arizona

Hundreds of people in the US state of Arizona have held a candlelit vigil in honour of American aid worker Kayla Mueller who died while being held hostage by Islamic State militants.

Friends, family and admirers displayed pink ribbons as they listened to various speakers celebrate her life.

Kayla Mueller's death was confirmed in Syria this month by her family and the American government.

Islamic State militants said she died in a Jordanian air strike.

But the Pentagon says that it does not know the exact circumstances of her death.

Eric Mueller paid tribute to his sister at the vigil

Churches and community groups in Prescott organised the candlelit memorial

Members of local churches and community groups in Prescott wrote scrapbook messages and signed cards in Ms Mueller's memory, with many describing her as the best of humanity.

Her brother, Eric, urged the crowd to emulate her example in life and reach out to suffering people.

"May God keep you from any more harm, any more hurt," he said.

"You are in His hands now. You do not have to suffer anymore. Only now will you be able to see how much you did and truly did for this world by looking down on it from above."