A 57-year-old woman from North Carolina was found dead after becoming entangled in a baggage conveyor system at Chicago, Illinois’ O’Hare International Airport early Thursday morning, August 8, 2024. The incident, which occurred in Terminal 5, prompted an investigation by local authorities and was determined to be a suicide, caused by hanging and asphyxiation.
The woman, identified as Virginia Christine Vinton from Waxhaw, North Carolina, was discovered by an airport employee around 7:45 a.m., according to officials. The Chicago Fire Department responded to the scene after receiving reports of a person trapped in machinery. Larry Langford, a spokesperson for the department, confirmed that Vinton was found entangled in the conveyor belt system used to move baggage.
Surveillance footage shows Vinton entering the restricted baggage handling area at approximately 2:27 a.m., though the exact circumstances of how she became trapped in the machinery are unclear. The footage did not capture the moment she became entangled in the conveyor system. The area where Vinton was found is not open to the public and is typically restricted to employee access.
A source familiar with the situation mentioned that Vinton was seen trying to access the employee side of Terminal 5 at multiple points before she was able to enter through a door designed for luggage transport.
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) confirmed that they are not involved in the investigation, as Vinton was not an employee of the airport or any airline. Delta Air Lines, which operates out of Terminal 5, also confirmed that Vinton was not affiliated with the airline.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed unusual activity in Terminal 5 during the early hours of Thursday morning to come forward.
