Otto Warmbier, the 22-year-old university student detainee of North Korea, died just a few days after he landed on American soil last Tuesday. Earlier reports said the U.S. citizen was unresponsive when he was released after spending 17 months behind the bars under Kim Jong Un's regime for allegedly stealing a political banner in January 2016.
The University of Virginia student was sentenced to 15 years in prison after his March trial before he reportedly fell ill from botulism and went into a coma after taking a sleeping pill. Otto was declared to be in a state of "unresponsive wakefulness" when he was admitted to a Cincinnati hospital last week.
His doctors also said there was no sign to support North Korea's claim that The American student contracted botulism. Similarly, Otto's parents refused to believe their explanation after the government had denied them of their right to be informed of their son's health condition. Fred and Cindy revealed they were only told about his coma a few days before their child was released.
'He was at peace'
Otto passed away at around 2:20 p.m. on Monday. This was confirmed by his parents in a statement. Fred and Cindy think their son knew he was home before he drew his last breath. His passing has left his family and loved one's heartbroken over losing a great son, relative, colleague, and student.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Otto's high school teacher, Danica White, described her former student as "the epitome of the kind of student wanted in a classroom." The English instructor added she could not remember a time when she saw him in a bad mood, instead, she will always remember the late student for having the "biggest heart."
A former classmate of Otto in Wyoming High School also remembered him for his "nondiscriminatory friendliness" to everyone at school.
“He was a person who deserved to be talked about in the same exuberant, personal way he talked about others,” Sallee Ann Ruibal told the publication.
North Korea 'Brutal' said Trump
The Warmbiers said they will always cherish the time they had spent with this "brilliant young man" who has touched the lives of countless people during his short-lived life.
The family also expressed their appreciation to Otto's friends, classmates, and teachers for remembering their beloved son.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump issued an official statement to condemn North Korea's "brutality" following the student's death. Reports stated the regime is still holding three American detainees.
