Otto Warmbier
| Otto Warmbier | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Otto Frederick Warmbier December 12, 1994 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Died | June 19, 2017 (aged 22) Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Wyoming High School (2013) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia |
| Known for | Arrest and imprisonment in North Korea |
| Parent(s) | Fred Warmbier, Cindy Warmbier (née Garber) |
Otto Frederick Warmbier (December 12, 1994 – June 19, 2017) was an American university student who, while visiting North Korea as a tourist in January 2016, was arrested and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor after being convicted of trying to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel.
Approximately one month after his sentencing, Warmbier suffered severe neurological injury from an unknown cause. North Korean authorities did not disclose his medical condition until June 2017, when they announced he had fallen into a coma as a result of botulism and a sleeping pill. The United States made diplomatic efforts to seek Warmbier's release, and Warmbier was freed in June 2017, in a comatose state after nearly 18 months in captivity. He was repatriated to the United States, arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 13, and was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for immediate evaluation and treatment. His U.S. physicians found no evidence of botulism, and the type of damage found in Warmbier's brain is not consistent with botulism.
Warmbier never regained consciousness and died on June 19, 2017, six days after his return to the United States. Some U.S. officials blamed North Korea for his death. He was one of 16 American citizens detained by North Korea since 1996, including three who are still in custody.
Otto Warmbier was born on December 12, 1994, the eldest of three children of Fred and Cindy (née Garber) Warmbier, and was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Otto had two siblings, a brother, Austin, and a sister, Greta. His father, Fred Warmbier, owns a metal-finishing company that was featured in Forbes in 2015 for its rapid growth. In 2014, Fred contributed to The New York Times' blog titled You're the Boss about running a small business. Otto worked as an intern at the company from 2010 to 2013. His maternal grandfather was Charles Garber, a pharmacist in Cincinnati, who was active in the Jewish community.
Warmbier graduated from Wyoming High School in 2013 as salutatorian, the second-highest ranking student in his class. He was considered popular and studious, and played on the soccer team. His coach said he was a gifted player and a natural leader.
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Wikipedia