Identity of Woman Found Dead in Baggage Area at Chicago O’Hare Airport After Getting Trapped in Machinery Confirmed

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.Photo:Getty

Getty

A 57-year-old woman has reportedly been found dead in a baggage area at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, the female was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, the Chicago Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE. She had been seen on video “entering an unoccupied restricted area at 2:27 a.m.,” police added, stating Chicago Fire Department had responded to a call of an unresponsive female that morning.

A spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has since identified the woman as Virginia Christine Vinton, 57, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, PEOPLE can confirm.

Per theAssociated Press, the victim was found “entangled in a conveyor belt system in a baggage room.”

Stock image of a baggage carousel.Getty

According to local affiliateABC7 Chicago, the incident took place at the Terminal 5 baggage area, which is the international terminal.

PerCBS News, the incident didn’t occur in a high-security area, so it wouldn’t have been considered a security breach.

Police spokesperson Nathaniel Blackman told the AP that nobody saw the woman enter the room in real time and the footage was only reviewed after her body was found.

It’s been reported the video only showed her walking into the room, and nothing after that, so it’s not known how exactly the incident occurred.

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Stock image of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty

PEOPLE can confirm an autopsy is taking place Friday, Aug. 9. The investigation is ongoing.

source: people.com