Otto Warmbier: Detained student dies, family and Trump slam North Korea

The 22-year-old was sentenced to 15-months of prison after N Korean prosecutors found him guilty of trying to steal a propaganda sign from a hotel.

Warmbier, who was medically evacuated from the reclusive nation to a hospital in Cincinnati, had suffered severe brain damage.

Confirming the news of his death, his family said in a statement, "It is our sad duty to report that our son, Otto Warmbier, has completed his journey home. Surrounded by his loving family, Otto died today at 2:20pm."

The North Korean officials have said that Warmbier had contracted botulism, rubbishing which his family said that the student died of mistreatment while serving his term in prison.

Meanwhile, condoling the death, US President Donald Trump has slammed the North Korean government.

In his official statement, he said, "The United States once again condemns the brutality of the North Korean regime as we mourn its latest victim."

Tensions are already soaring between the US and the Kim Jong-un led nation, with the latter threatening to blow up the US using explosives.

US too have bolstered its defence following a series of missile tests by North Korea.

Earlier it was reported that the father of the deceased, Fred Warmbier thanked the Trump administration while slamming the former President, who he accused of asking the Warmbiers to keep a low profile.

"When Otto was first taken, we were advised by the past administration to take a low profile while they worked to obtain his release. We did so without result. Earlier this year, Cindy and I decided the time for strategic patience was over," Warmbier said in a press conference.

"We made a few media appearances and traveled to Washington to meet with [Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan] Ambassador Joe Yun at the State Department," he said.

Thanking the Ambassador and the Trump administration, Warmbier said, "It is my understanding that Ambassador Yun and his team, at the direction of the president aggressively pursued resolution of the situation," while adding, "They have our thanks for bringing him home."

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