Otto Warmbier, the US student who was medically evacuated from North Korea to his home in Cincinnati last week, died on Monday at 2:20 p.m. while "surrounded by his loving family," according to a statement from the Warmbiers. He was 22.
ADVERTISEMENT
Otto Warmbier, the US student detained by North Korea and returned in a coma, has died
The Warmbiers expressed their joy at their reunion with Otto, as well as their pride his life he led, in parallel with their sadness at his death at 22.
US diplomats negotiated Warmbier's evacuation while he was serving a 15-year sentence in North Korea for "anti-state" activities. He was convicted in March 2016 of attempting to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel.
North Korean officials said Warmbier — who was healthy upon his arrival in North Korea and at his trial but was in a coma when he arrived in the US — contracted botulism, took a sleeping pill, and never woke up. But American doctors who examined Warmbier said he suffered a serious neurological injury while in detention that caused him to go into a coma.
The Warmbiers expressed their joy at their reunion with Otto, as well as their pride in the life he led, in parallel with the sadness they felt at the loss of their son and brother.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reacting to the news of Warmbier's death, President Donald Trump said Warmbier had faced tough conditions and that North Korea was a "brutal regime," according to Reuters.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT