A woman was discovered deceased in the baggage claim area of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, with authorities ruling the cause of death as suicide. The woman, identified as 57-year-old Virginia Christine Vinton from Waxhaw, North Carolina, was found entangled in a baggage conveyor at Terminal 5 around 7:45 a.m. on Thursday.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Vinton’s identity on Friday. The cause of death was determined to be suicide by hanging and asphyxiation. Vinton, who resided approximately 45 minutes from Charlotte, North Carolina, did not have any known employment ties to the airport.
Chicago police revealed that surveillance footage showed Vinton entering a restricted area of the terminal at approximately 2:30 a.m. on the day of her death. Her body was discovered a few hours later. The motive behind Vinton’s decision to enter the employees-only area remains unclear.
The area where Vinton was found, while secured, is not classified as a high-security zone. The conveyor belt system, typically bustling with activity, was the tragic scene of the incident.
The incident has raised questions about the security measures in place at the airport. While the area is restricted to employees, the ease with which Vinton was able to access it has sparked concerns.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to Vinton’s death. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the usually bustling airport, prompting a review of security protocols.