I need to remove the interior driver's door panel with the door shut - is that even possible?

The unlocking mechanism stopped working and I can't get the door to open. The lock tab still goes up and down, although it just appears that the internal latch has become unhooked to the door release handle??

Worse case - I'm prepared to destroy the interior door panel and replace it IF needed. But I would need to know where to drill it and not hit something behind it and cause more damage.

Any ideas on where to start?

Thanks, Fred
(New to site)