Some new developments in the case of a missing B.C. woman who is being held captive by Taliban Militants in Afghanistan are giving her friends reason to hope that she will survive the ordeal.

The images are chilling as is the message.

A video has surfaced of hostage Beverly Giesbrecht saying that her life is under threat and that time is running out.

"I'm going to be killed. I'm going to be beheaded by the end of the month," she said in the video.

This is difficult for anyone to watch, let alone for those who know Giesbrecht. The 52-year old former Lions Bay resident was kidnapped in November. She is being held for ransom in Pakistan.

"I'm in a state of numbness, it's been going on for four months now," said Glen Cooper, a long-time friend of the missing woman, who spoke to CTV News on Friday.

Since her abduction, Cooper and others have waited anxiously for news from their friend. This latest video isn't the kind of development they were hoping for.

"It's very disturbing to me because she's not in good health, and is not a healthy person at the best of times, he said. "She's only 95 pounds and who knows what they're feeding her."

Giesbrecht used to be in the publishing business. But the September 11th attacks prompted her to convert to Islam. Since then - she's become a journalist - running an alternative news website and traveling to Pakistan to tell stories some have criticized as being pro-Taliban.

Though disturbing, experts say this video does come with a slight upside. Giesbrecht's ransom demand has been reduced. That means the kidnappers may be more motivated by money then ideology and therefore may be more likely to keep her alive.

"I suspect the element that has kidnapped this Canadian citizen has done so for financial gain primarily and is therefore seeking to make some money," said international law expert Michael Byers.

But for friends like Glen Cooper, that takes a backseat to the overall goal.

"I want her to survive this ordeal. That's my first concern," he said.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart