ABC NEWS (NEW YORK)- The death of Otto Warmbier, the American student held captive by North Korea for 17 months, has died just days after being released.
He arrived in the U.S. less than a week ago, carried off a plane suffering from extensive brain damage after more than a year in a coma.
It's been more than a year since the world heard his plea for mercy.
Warmbier, "Please save my life. Please think of my family. "
In a statement Monday, his parents say when Otto was carried off that airplane "he looked very uncomfortable, almost anguished?.." But "within a day the countenance of his face changed, he was at peace. He was home and we believe he could sense that"
Warmbier could not walk, talk or respond to verbal commands.
Monday, he passed away surrounded by his family.
Since the moment their son was sentenced to hard labor for stealing a propaganda poster.
The Warmbier's were fighting for his release.
"We're thrilled that our son is on american soil and I'm able to talk to you on otto's behalf and I'm able to wear the jacket that he wore when he gave his confession," said Warmbier's father.
The family blames North Korea for Otto's death, saying Monday, "The awful, torturious mistreatment our son received at the hands of the North Koreans ensured that no other outcome was possible."
On Monday, President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the family of Otto Warmbier, who died Monday after being held for more than 17 months by North Korea.
22-year-old Warmbier was in a coma when he was released by North Korea last week.
"I just wanted to pass on word that Otto Warmbier has just passed away. He spent a year and a half in N Korea, a lot of bad things happened but at least we got him to be with his parents. They were so happy to see him even though he was in very tough condition but he just passed away a little while ago. It's a brutal regime, and we'll be able to handle it, " said President Donald Trump.
