CINCINNATI (AP) — The coroner in Cincinnati hasn’t reached a conclusion about the cause of death for a 22-year-old American college student who died less than a week after he was released from North Korea in a coma.
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, says that he appreciates China’s efforts to exert pressure on North Korea, but “it has not worked out.”
Hamilton County’s Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco’s office said Tuesday that only an external examination was performed on Otto Warmbier’s body, per his family’s request. It says his family objected to an autopsy.
The statement says the office has reviewed medical records and talked extensively with his treating physicians. There will be more interviews and records reviewed.
The University of Virginia student died Monday. He had been accused of trying to steal a propaganda banner in North Korea while visiting with a tour group and was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor.
Trump tweeted Tuesday, “While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!”
His tweet comes a day after learning that Warmbier had died.
Trump said Tuesday that it was a “total disgrace” what happened to Warmbier, but doctors and the administration haven’t offered an explanation for the student’s condition preceding his death.
Trump has called repeatedly on China to help exert pressure on North Korea, particularly with regard to its nuclear ambitions.