The cause of death for a North Carolina woman who was found ‘entangled’ in a baggage claim conveyor belt at Chicago O’Hare has been revealed.
The death of Christine Vinton, 57, of Waxhaw, Virginia, was ruled a suicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday.
She died by asphyxiation due to hanging, a spokesperson told The Chicago Tribune.
The 57-year-old was found inside a restricted area in Terminal 5 shortly before 8am on Thursday where she was found unresponsive and ‘entangled’ in the conveyor belt.
Surveillance footage showed the woman entering the unoccupied area around 2:30am – five hours before her body was discovered.
Vinton was pronounced dead at the scene and was not an airport employee.
The death of Virginia Christine Vinton, 57, of Waxhaw, was ruled a suicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday (pictured: Chicago O’Hare)
The 57-year-old was found inside a restricted area in Terminal 5 shortly before 8am on Thursday where she was found unresponsive and ‘entangled’ in the conveyor belt
Authorities said the part of the airport the woman entered is restricted to employees, and while it’s considered secure, it isn’t a high-security area, ABC 7 reported.
This section of the international terminal is filled with conveyor belts that bring luggage to and from planes. Bags in this area also go through customs.
The terminal serves Delta Airlines, as well as international carriers.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the family for comment.
Last month, passengers were trapped on a ‘shaking’ plane at O’Hare after ground and air traffic control were evacuated due to multiple tornado warnings.
Courtney Mares, a journalist for Catholic News Agency who took the video on the plane, said: ‘Our plane is sitting on the runway at Chicago O’Hare right now while everyone’s phones receive multiple tornado warnings.
‘Captain announced that air traffic control and ground control have evacuated, she continued. ‘Plane is shaking as it is blown back and forth by the wind.’
As many as ten simultaneous tornadoes were spotted by the National Weather Service in the metropolitan area of the Windy City on July 15, with one hurtling towards the international airport.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.