[djnolan]

I know that if the outside door handle gets loose there will be enough play that the door won't unlock from the outside. If it gets that way tighten up the door handle screws.

Sounds like yours may be beyond that. Did you try going in from the other door or rolling down the window, and using needle nose pliers to pull up the lock while working the inside door handle? Vigorously work both back and forth it and it may pop.