Cause of Death Revealed for Southwest Flight Attendant Found Dead During Hawaii Layover as Police Investigation Continues

The cause and manner of death have been revealed for Jenny Lupton, a 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant and mother who was found dead at a hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii, during a work layover in August. The announcement brings a new development in a case that has left her family grieving and searching for answers.

On Thursday, October 15, the Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner confirmed that Lupton died from multiple injuries and classified her death as a suicide. However, the Honolulu Police Department told PEOPLE that its investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly detailed all the circumstances surrounding her death.

Lupton was discovered on August 20 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, where she had been staying after traveling to Hawaii for work. According to information previously shared with her family, she appeared to have fallen from the balcony of her hotel room on the 24th floor. A hotel employee reportedly discovered her body, prompting authorities to begin an investigation into the unexplained death.

The case initially raised questions among Lupton’s relatives, who struggled to understand how she had died. Her family previously said she had appeared to be in good spirits shortly before the tragedy. Her sister, Tresa Lupton, recalled receiving a text from Jenny just hours before she was found. Jenny had reportedly spent time with a fellow flight attendant, enjoyed an evening out and gotten a new tattoo. The family had previously expressed concern about the circumstances and asked authorities to investigate thoroughly.

Jenny had worked as a flight attendant for nearly three decades, spending most of her career with Southwest Airlines. To her loved ones, she was much more than a longtime employee: she was a devoted mother, a beloved family member and a lively personality who enjoyed meeting people. Her niece, Hannah Lupton, previously described her aunt as someone who loved interacting with passengers and learning about different cultures through her work.

Her family also remembered the close bond she shared with her teenage son, who was central to her life. Jenny had planned to remain in Hawaii for several days after her work assignment before returning home to Oklahoma. The sudden loss has left relatives facing the painful task of reconciling their memories of her final days with the official findings.

Southwest Airlines previously expressed deep sadness over the death of its colleague and said it had offered support to her family and co-workers while cooperating with local authorities. Police have said investigators were conducting interviews, reviewing surveillance footage and examining evidence as part of their work. Although the medical examiner has now determined the manner of death, the police investigation remains active, and officials have not released further details about its progress.

For Jenny’s family, the announcement marks a significant development in a tragedy that began with unanswered questions in a hotel in Hawaii. As investigators continue their work, her loved ones are left remembering a woman whose career revolved around travel and connecting with people, while mourning the loss of a mother, sister and aunt whose absence has deeply affected those closest to her.

Source: PEOPLE