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.
18 Comments
Good Lord this is tragic. But in Mexico City? If I were a flight attendant, I’d refuse to fly there because it’s known to be an extremely dangerous city with exceptionally high crime. Being a white-skinned American I’d think would be like putting a bull’s eye on your forehead.
October 30, 2011 at 10:09 pm | | Report comment
Daneil, sorry you are out of touch. White skinned people in Mexico City might out number those of cafe ole.
Unlike many other cities in the world or US the place is very safe.
This will probably pan out to be a crime of passion or someone he invited back to his hotel room who looked to rob him.
May he rest in peace.
October 31, 2011 at 8:04 am | | Report comment
Daniel, you sound like an idiot.
October 31, 2011 at 1:43 pm | | Report comment
He was a wonderful, outgoing person who will be dearly missed.
October 30, 2011 at 10:25 pm | | Report comment
That’s what you get for seeing only what you want to see.
October 30, 2011 at 11:28 pm | | Report comment
His being gay was not NOT a sin because he was created by God that way – he didn’t choose to be gay, that’s just who he was. And unfortunate incidents such as this one happen in any large city all over the world, not just in Mexico City.
October 31, 2011 at 3:33 am | | Report comment
Where, in any of the news reports of this tragedy, does it say that Nick was gay? And where does it say that his being gay had anything to do with his death? He was brutally murdered and robbed by someone with no conscience and no reverence for the sanctity of life. Nick was a very sweet person who came from a loving and close family. He was the youngest child and his mother is terribly broken up by this whole tragedy. Can’t you put aside your prejudices for the sake of a human life? A human who never hurt another human in his life?
October 31, 2011 at 3:41 am | | Report comment
Could it be autoerotic asphyxiation? remember David Carradine died the very same way. Just something else to consider.
October 31, 2011 at 6:12 am | | Report comment
Other airlines no longer leave crews in Mexico overnight. Now you know why. Quite a shift down there, we all remember when this wasn’t a problem.
October 31, 2011 at 7:06 am | | Report comment
Nick was a beautiful young man. His Mother is devestated over his death. RIP dear sweet Nick.
October 31, 2011 at 8:18 am | | Report comment
Another GAY killing. We ALL know what happened. He was out looking for some “rough trade” and got it.
October 31, 2011 at 11:27 am | | Report comment
How much did you pay for the guy to do that? I’ve seen you lurking in the airport men’s room LARRY CRAIG and there is no way a young guy like that would touch you for free!
October 31, 2011 at 11:46 am | | Report comment
Hey, I fly FIRST CLASS ! That’s included!
October 31, 2011 at 12:07 pm | | Report comment
Even on US AIR? – I’m really shocked. They are one step above Alliegent and Spirit.
October 31, 2011 at 12:19 pm | | Report comment
I have it on very good authority that Alliegent and Spirit Airlines are EXCELLENT airline companies that strive for perfection.
October 31, 2011 at 1:47 pm | | Report comment
I have all my teeth, thank you, Sir! I resent you attacking me because I choose to make use of the public transit system whenever possible. When I ride the MTA bus through the ghetto, I get to see the things that are the tapestry of life.
October 31, 2011 at 2:09 pm | | Report comment
What you call TAPESTRY OF LIFE – the rest of us call a a used piece of toilet paper.
October 31, 2011 at 2:15 pm | | Report comment
This is all the fault of the large corporations that I fight daily to defeat and destroy even though I get my employment from one and use products and services of them to make my life livable in my struggle for justice.
October 31, 2011 at 2:24 pm | | Report comment