HPD investigates flight attendant’s death in Waikiki

The Honolulu Police Department is investigating the death of a 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant from Oklahoma who was found dead outside her Waikiki hotel during a layover Thursday.

HPD opened an unattended death investigation Thursday after the body of Jenny Lupton, of Cleveland, Okla., was found. The cause and manner of Lupton’s death are pending, according to the city Department of the Medical Examiner.

HPD’s Homicide Detail is “actively investigating the circumstances surrounding her death and is working closely with her family,” according to a statement from police. “At this time, no conclusions have been made regarding the manner of death.”

Lupton’s niece, Hannah Lupton, told USA Today and Oklahoma TV station KWTV, that the city Medical Examiner’s office informed the family that it appeared that her aunt fell from the balcony of her 24th-floor hotel room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and was found near a garbage bin below the balcony. The family does not believe the death was a suicide and wanted a thorough investigation, the niece said.

Police said the probe into Lupton’s death will be a “thorough investigation that will take time.” HPD detectives are conducting interviews, reviewing and recovering surveillance video, and examining evidence as part of the investigative process, police said.

“To preserve the integrity of the investigation, HPD will limit the release of certain information while the investigation remains ongoing,” HPD said in a statement. “If investigators identify an immediate threat to public safety, HPD will notify the community. On behalf of Jenny Lupton’s family, we ask for patience as detectives conduct this investigation and respectfully request that the family’s privacy be honored during this difficult time.”

HPD asked the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to avoid sharing unconfirmed information.

Jenny Lupton had a 29-year career as a flight attendant, most of it with Southwest, her niece told USA Today.

“The Southwest Airlines family is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague during a layover in Hawaii. We have offered our condolences and support to the Employee’s family and co-workers and are engaged with local authorities as they investigate,” the company said in a written statement.

A GoFundMe for Lupton’s family, which includes her 15-year-old son, had collected about $6,000 by this afternoon.

“Our work family is grieving alongside Jenny’s family following an unimaginable tragedy. What happened has left so many of us heartbroken, devastated, and searching for answers. But through all of this, one thing is clear: Jenny’s family is not alone,” her friend Travis Rodriguez wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Right now, they are facing an unimaginable loss while trying to navigate everything that comes with losing someone they love. The last thing they should have to worry about is the financial burden that can follow such a heartbreaking tragedy.”