'I'm pretty scared to die': Parents of American held hostage by ISIS receive 'heartbreaking' letter

ISIS hostage Abdul-Rahman Kassig: "I'm pretty scared to die" http://t.co/IXEzn11mig pic.twitter.com/VsPZFj449z

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 6, 2014

The latest American hostage to be threatened with beheading by ISIS is Peter Kassig (n/k/a Abdul-Rahman Kassig), a former Army Ranger from Indiana turned aid worker who was captured in October 2013 near the city of Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria. Last night his parents released excerpts of a recent letter they received from their son as well as a family statement on Peter’s conversion to Islam while in captivity:

Family of Abdul-Rahman (formerly Peter) Kassig release heart-breaking letter from son held by ISIS @kassigfamily pic.twitter.com/hm9sN1nYqv

— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) October 6, 2014

The family of Peter Kassig says he is to be known by his Muslim name, Abdul-Rahman. More on his conversion @WTHRcom pic.twitter.com/9cg4Ogenl2

— CarrieNEWS (@CarrieCBlack) October 6, 2014

https://twitter.com/passantino/status/518941333638381568

Kassig’s family released this video on Saturday pleading for their son’s release:

Latest American under threat of death by #ISIS is a Muslim who went by Peter Kassig and is now Abdul-Rahman Kassig http://t.co/G3RdjAaYTq

— Jaweed Kaleem ? (@jaweedkaleem) October 5, 2014

Kassig was in Syria helping refugees displaced by the civil war and founded a medical charity called Special Emergency Response and Assistance:

How many more before these savages are stopped ..what a caring soul ! God be with him http://t.co/UOJCYw7VAL via @MailOnline

— Staffs Casuals (@StaffsCasuals) October 6, 2014

#IS hostage aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig is personal friend, I vouch 4 his humanitarian activities in Deir-Zour #Syria, pray 4 his safety.

— Peter Bouckaert (@bouckap) October 6, 2014

Hostage Abdul-Rahman Kassig's friend: "An incredible individual, devoted everything he had to Syria. We're hoping for some kind of mercy"

— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) October 6, 2014

And, yes, please keep Kassig and the Kassig family in your prayers:

Please follow and share @kassigfamily for updates on Abdul-Rahman Kassig. Love and warmth to my friend. Please keep him in your prayers.

— Sarah Pollom (@sarahhd12) October 6, 2014