Door won’t open

My buddy has an 00 rc/lb v6 5psd. He had resistance when opening the driver door entering and exiting. Upon trying to re enter the door, neither outer or inner handle will allow the door to open.
The rods in the door can be heard and felt moving correctly and it feels like it wants to open, but the latch is broken or bound. Can’t get the panel off with the door closed. 98% sure it’s the latch, as with the panel pulled back the cable from inner handle can be seen moving the housing it connects to.
My thoughts are to damage panel/panels and expose more of inner door by the latch area. Then replace with another panel. The door itself seems to have an off axis bend that could be binding the latch. I’m open to any ideas or suggestions as to correcting . We tried all sorts of light pulling and manipulation of the door to relieve stresses, but nothing. Thanks

 

Why can't you remove the seats from accessing the other door and then remove the door card without damage?

Also, remove the door handle from the inside and pull manually on the cable for the lock and the latch. Tug on them a few times and see if that frees it.

Too, remove as many screws and clips as you can, remove the inner door handle trim, and then roll the window all the way down. The top of the door panel just hooks on a lip so with the window out of the way you could use a screwdriver to work the top edge of the panel out of the lip giving you enough room to look inside and reach the lock mechanism to open the door.

 

Try pushing in firmly on the entire door from outside and with pressure held, then try pulling the lever, to take tension off the latch/throw.

It may work.

 

The dash blocks access to the lower fastener and I haven’t even messed with the window crank. I got the top of panel off and can see the cable and housing. We’re planning on the seat removal, but super limited access. Plus need a few folks for this bench rc/lb, so it’s in the works. The panel at the lower door curve, I haven’t been able to get in there and pull. Good suggestions, keep em coming please