US Airways Flight Attendant With Ties To Southern California Murdered During Layover In Mexico

PHOENIX  (AP) — A US Airways flight attendant based in Phoenix was found dead in a Mexico City hotel room while on a layover, and authorities are investigating the death as a homicide.

A flight attendants union said the body of Nick Aaronson, 27, was found early Saturday in his room at a downtown Hilton.

The victim has several ties to Southern California. His mother lives in West Covina, a sister is believed to live in San Dimas. Another sister is believed to live in Georgia.

The Mexico City prosecutor's office said Aaronson was found naked on the floor, his hands tied behind his back with a cloth. He showed signs of beating and choking.

Prosecutors said no drugs, weapons or messages were found in the room. Police were checking security cameras, and an autopsy was planned.

Deborah Volpe, president of the Association of Flight Attendants Council 66, said Aaronson was "very popular" and "very loved" among the airline's Phoenix-based crews.

"It's tragic," Volpe told The Arizona Republic. "We are caring for our co-workers. We're a tight-knit group in Phoenix."

A statement on the union's website says there doesn't appear to be a safety breach at the hotel but that crews will stay elsewhere temporarily while on layovers.

Aaronson reportedly worked with US Air since 2006.

The victim's mother told KCAL9's Ann Sterling that her son had a love of flying even though he didn't make a lot of money.

His mother also told Sterling that Mexican authorities told her they made an arrest in the case.

The family plans to bring Aaronson body back to the US where he will be cremated. They plan to scatter his ashes along the Newport Beach coast.