There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the tragic death of an American Airlines flight attendant at a Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia Airport.
Unanswered Questions Surrounding Death of American Airlines Flight Attendant At Airport Marriott Hotel In Philadelphia
Here’s what we know so far:
- Cleaning staff discovered a dead flight attendant on Monday evening (September 25, 2023)
- Medics were summoned and pronounced her dead at 10:40 pm
- The flight attendant, 66-years-old, had a sock or “cloth” in her mouth
- “Sealed” prescription drug bottles were found in the room
- Police were summoned and found no signs of:
- forced entry
- struggle
- weapons
- Even so, police have ruled the death “suspicious” and homicide detectives are now investigating
But many questions remain:
- The woman was supposed to have checked out two days earlier – why did no one from the hotel check her room sooner? Do rooms sit empty for two days?
- What was the cause of the death?
- Was this more likely suicide or foul play?
- Were the prescription drugs hers?
- Were the prescription drugs of the sort in which overdose can cause death?
- Did American Airlines not check in on her when she failed to show up for work?
Certainly, this is a tragic death and many open questions remain. Without delving into any specifics, American Airlines released a short statement on the death:
“The well-being of our team members is our top priority, and we will ensure that all those affected by this tragic loss have the support they need.”
The investigation is ongoing.
CONCLUSION
I went to law school in Philadelphia and have walked past or through that particular Marriott Hotel more times than I can count. How sad that a flight attendant passed for reasons that, whatever the cause, appear sudden and premeditated.
We don’t know that this was suicide, but if you are contemplating suicide please reconsider. Your life is too valuable. Consider calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 within the USA.
image: Marriott
This is sincerely tragic and hope that we can get to the bottom of this. Condolences to the family.
If you are going to end your own life, would you stuff a sock in your mouth? Doesn’t make much sense.
Suspicious
The real question is why there is a 66 YEAR OLD flight attendant with the company. Accountants, engineers, professors, surgeons, and even pilots if the age is extended, no problem. Someone who has to walk up and down the aisle for 5 miles a day and provide service should be 30.
@John … excellent point . Unexpected health concerns are common as one ages , and especially likely in a job which requires walking , lifting , and adjustment to time zones and sleeplessness .
Dear John,
Since you’re clearly typing from the 1960’s could you please do us all a favor and prevent the Kennedy Assassination? Anyone with your clear grip of age, work requirements, and sensitivity should be able to disarm Oswald before he enters the building.
And it will be okay, baby. You’ll still get your scotch neat at your seat.
I think that if a flight attendant can pass a physical/mental fitness exam, there should be no age limit.
I do understand why the FAA has implemented a 65-year-old limit for pilots, though – the high(er) cost of assessing pilots on a case-by-case basis outweighs the relative benefit of allowing many men and women in their 60s or 70s from continuing to fly.
“I went to law school in Philadelphia and have walked past or through that particular Marriott Hotel more times than I can count.“
Welcome back to Philadelphia Matthew!!
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/large-crowds-of-juveniles-loot-multiple-stores-in-center-city-police-say/3654732/?amp=1
I saw that. They should all be executed or at least enslaved and forced to work on infrastructure projects for 14 hours per day.
In a place ran by Democrats? They will be on the streets later today again. Did you see Target announced they are closing major stores in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle? They can’t run a business where theft is allowed.
I’m in all these cities every month, actually doing a short term project in Seattle for a month now. While the news loves to jump on some of these tidbits, and there are problems, sure, everything seems perfectly normal to me. This is definitely a read between the lines situation. All of these markets have had skyrocketing rents to businesses over the years. They are either leaving because the rents have gotten too high to justify staying OR, like many, are using it as leverage to renegotiate lease rates. It’s much like sports teams threatening to leave in order to secure better stadium deals. My bro is an attorney in PDX and work now is all about threatening to close stores to gain leverage on contracts signed during the boom. As for Nordstrom in SFO, that store has notoriously been a drag for years given the price of square footage, it had nothing to do with the homeless situation or grab and run sprees…they were just looking for a dignified way out of a store that was more prestige than actual money maker.
@Stuart: everyone has a different view of everything. Like you, I used to visit Seattle and San Francisco on an almost monthly basis as I was on the Board of companies in those cities. I used to stay at the Fairmont in Seattle and at the Palace in SF. I saw numerous times people putting their pants down and taking a dump during the day in front of those properties. You had to watch your steps to not step on used syringes on the streets. Now, look at what happened last night in Philadelphia and see if that is sustainable. It has happened in SF many times. So, there might be more reasons for stores like Target to leave those cities but crime and lawlessness is a major one. Target is closing stores in Oakland. Is that a prime location? I doubt. I can guarantee you if they offer them a lease for half of the cost they will still close it.
Now, you said news loves to jump in these tidbits. How about what most the media don’t want people to see? Just had breakfast with a lawyer friend of mine today. His brand new car has dents on the hood. I asked how that happened. Well, he walked to the parking lot he parks his car in downtown Minneapolis for 35 years and two groups of guys followed him. He ran into his car and locked the doors and took off. One of the guys jumped of the hood of his car while he was driving and two others attempted to break his windows to make him stop. His admin assistant was robbed at gun point last month while walking from the office to the same parking lot. Local newspaper never reported that.
“@Stuart: everyone has a different view of everything ”
— yes, like I thought this was a travel blog because that’s how Google News sells it to me in their aggregation. Instead I see it as a place where weak wannabe fascists pick up the bread crumbs of racism and hatred from their glorified master/blogger.
Theft IS punishable by death in other countries… would anyone here care to name them? I’m sure you could… just imagine the people whose faith you ridicule and besmirch.
You CAN be better this THIS. No one can MAKE you. The fact that you don’t WANT to be is just SAD.
“Maybe if the penalty was more severe, it would STOP.”
I’m sure you will be changing your tune, Dear Matthew, the VERY second you learn that one of your children steal or PILFER some innocent item.
You’re right about Nordstrom leaving SF. I work for another U.S. luxury retailer who’s also in Union Square and here’s the tea as to why Nordstrom is leaving. They did not have the best customer relationship in SF. They came later to downtown San Francisco than others including Neiman Marcus and Saks. Having a store downtown isn’t always the smartest thing and has been a red herring for many retailers of that era. It’s a lost maker for most and has been dwindling for many years now. Still before the Pandemic, Saks and Neimans San Francisco store were some of the best outfitters in their respective chains, Nordstrom SF was not. They didn’t have the reputation, and didn’t have the sway to lure in big spenders compare to those two. Their history in SF is shorter compared to those two who been in SF for 40-50 years. Covid, bad mall, less traffic, fewer well heeled customers, are far bigger reasons for their exit than small crime and random retail theft which pales into comparison to these types of stores make on any given day. Before the Pandemic Neimans was doing 500k-600k a day on a Monday while weekends they do 2-3 million total. A loss of a few Chanel bags don’t make you exit a market like SF or it’s surroundings. They didn’t have what it takes to survive a downturn after Covid.
Executed or enslaved? Maybe you can post a picture of yourself in a white robe and pointy hat in your next trip report.
Crime should be equally applied to all offenders, no matter the skin color.
You were saying?
I was saying? I’m not the one making the argument that the death penalty and/or slavery is appropriate punishment for looting.
Maybe if the penalty was more severe, it would STOP.
Take them home and give them shelter. You think these are nice people. You like them, take them.
OK, the execution at least, definitely runs afoul of the 8th amendment!
Only 14 hours? You are too soft, Matthew
Those criminals should have 3 rights.
1. The right to work 16 hours a day
2. The right to be beaten for every mistake they make at work
3. The right to eat 1,000 calories of food per day
No other rights allowed
This was a scheduled layover. She was not a commuter. There were 3 other flight attendants working that trip with her. AA knew that this flight attendant missed the flight she was supposed to work, they gave her a MISSED TRIP, that’s a discipline action, but AA never bothered to call the hotel or try to find out what was going on, why she never showed up at the gate. She was found TWO DAYS later by a hotel housekeeping employee. It is awful how little AA cares so little about it’s employees. No wonder why flight attendants are so demoralized.
That’s really a critical point. Thanks for your comment.
Sad story, probably suicide with the sock placed to avoid throwing up the pills. Horrible way to go. And no excuse for her being there for 2 days.
As for that Marriott, the rooms have needed updated for well over a decade. It’s an embarrassing property for them, but the entire airport is an embarrassment as well. Bathrooms may be the worst in any airport in America. With homeless living in the baggage claim area and using the restrooms that are open to the public.
I’m wondering why her crew didn’t do a “Wellness” check on her? We never leave a hotel without at least knowing we are all accounted for! Very sad indeed
Right. I know from watching flight attendant blogs they all gathered in the lobby and account for each other before going on the trip. Unless the trip was canceled and the other crew had to disperse or she was not working the flight with her previous crew who got moved to other flights. Please make it make Sense.
That’s what so confusing? At my airline, if a crew member is late for the bus to the airport. We go to the hotel front desk and ask to call the crew members room!!!! Most of the time the crew member is on his/her way down to the lobby. For the life of me, can’t understand why no one checked on her why she wasn’t in the lobby. Why didn’t her crew do what all crews do?
I completely agree Steve, from one crew member to another. And it turns out the rest of this poor woman’s crew suffered a cancellation, yet still weren’t curious about the status of their coworker to go back and investigate a bit more. Sad.
Why do you think that is?
Totally agree …why didn’t the crew do a room check .
Something not adding up . . If she were a young very
Attractive woman ..this would be all over the news.
Why is t this getting more attention and Investigation.?
Matthew, I was touched by your ending paragraph, particularly “if you are contemplating suicide please reconsider. Your life is too valuable.” That was an unexpected, and extremely humane ending. I also have no compunction about your frustration with rampant looting and lack of personal accountability. You continue to be you.
Thank you, Darrel.
I believe the hotel is connected to the airport via a walkway, similar to the ORD Airport Hilton. Some crews, whether their flight is cancelled or not, decide to walk over earlier to get a bite to eat, and then meet at the departure gate.
Other times, the crew may agree to meet at the lobby to walk together to the gate… but often, a crew member may say “if I don’t show up, don’t wait, as I decided to leave earlier”.
It happens quite often.
The hotel knew when she was going to check out, yet waited 2 days to clean a room?? Really??