CINCINNATI (AP) — The family of an American college student who died days after being released from North Korea in a coma says the 22-year-old “has completed his journey home.”
Relatives say Otto Warmbier died Monday. They did not cite a specific cause of death.
President Trump told reporters ‘bad things’ happened while Wambier was held in captivity by a ‘brutal’ North Korean regime but at least the American died at home with parents.
Melania and I offer our deepest condolences to the family of Otto Warmbier. Full statement: https://t.co/8kmcA6YtFD pic.twitter.com/EhrP4BiJeB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2017
Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman said he and his wife were “saddened” by the news:
“Otto Warmbier was such a promising young man. He was kind, generous and accomplished. He had all the talent you could ever ask for and a bright future ahead of him. His passing today is a loss for Ohio and for all of us. Jane and I are lifting up the Warmbier family in our prayers at this difficult time, and we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of this remarkable young Ohioan.” –U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
Doctors had described Warmbier’s condition as a state of “unresponsive wakefulness” and said he suffered a “severe neurological injury” of unknown cause. He arrived in Ohio on June 13 after being held for more than 17 months.
The family thanked the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treating him but said, “Unfortunately, the awful torturous mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible beyond the sad one we experienced today.
The University of Virginia student was accused of trying to steal a propaganda banner while visiting with a tour group.
He was sentenced in March 2016 to 15 years in prison with hard labor. His family says it was told he had been in a coma since soon after his sentencing.