Michigan Woman Killed Fighting In Syria

04:21

May 31, 2013

The Associated Press

An image, purportedly of Nicole Lynn Mansfield's Michigan driver's license, broadcast on Syrian state TV.

Relatives of a 33-year-old Michigan woman killed in fighting in Syria say they didn't even know she was in the Middle East but that she always wanted to be a peacemaker.

Monica Mansfield-Speelman said Friday that her niece, Nicole Lynn Mansfield, became interested in the region after converting to Islam and marrying an Arab immigrant several years ago.

The marriage ended but Mansfield-Speelman says Mansfield remained Muslim and visited Dubai about three years ago.

Family members say FBI agents informed them of Mansfield's death on Thursday. An FBI spokesman declined comment.

A pro-Syrian government news agency says Mansfield was killed in Idlib with two other fighters of a group opposed to Syria's government.

Mansfield-Speelman says she hadn't spoken with Mansfield since September, and last she knew Mansfield was in Kentucky.

Guest:

Niraj Warikoo, reporter for the Detroit Free Press. He tweets @nwarikoo.

This segment aired on May 31, 2013.