Coroner Rules Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew Death As Suicide

The death of a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member has been ruled a suicide by a UK coroner.  

Jasmin Winthrop, 25, had fallen ill during a flight from London Heathrow to Montego Bay on January 23, 2025. When the flight arrived in Jamaica, Winthrop was grounded due to a sinus infection and told to rest before returning to London. Her colleagues returned to Heathrow on January 25. 

After a few days, Winthrop, from Poole in Dorset, was feeling better and met up with some Virgin Atlantic colleagues who were also staying at the hotel after a flight from London. After consuming alcohol, Winthrop had to be helped back to her room by two senior colleagues after vomiting in a public area of the hotel. 

Back in her room, the inquest heard that the crew member reportedly became overwhelmed with embarrassment and fear that she would lose her job because of her actions while grounded. She then began to message her friends, showing increased distress. A later voice note also indicated that she had contemplated taking her own life if she was terminated from her “dream job.”

The next morning, colleagues were unable to reach her and raised concerns with the flight service manager (FSM). Hotel security was informed, and along with fellow crew members and one of the flight crew, they conducted a welfare check, where they subsequently discovered her body. 

The FSM told the inquest: “She was tearful and apologetic and kept saying ‘sorry, I don’t want to lose my job.’ I reassured Jasmin that she was not in trouble. I didn’t say at any point that I was reporting her behaviour.”

Police on the island confirmed there was no evidence of foul play, and authorities later said that she had died from hanging. A note found in the room expressed deep regret and sorrow, as Winthrop emphasised her deep love for her job. 

Senior Coroner Rachel Griffiths formally recorded the death as suicide. It noted that she had no known previous issues with mental health, and her distress at the time appeared to be directly linked to her fear of losing her job. 

Griffiths later added, “Jasmin has been described by everyone as bubbly and full of life. She was clearly hard-working, intelligent and loved her dream job at Virgin Atlantic. It is clear from the messages she sent that she was concerned about losing her job and was embarrassed.”

Speaking to the court, her mother, Gemma Winthrop, said that her daughter had been “thrilled” to join the airline and had formed close friendships with several colleagues. She added that the family had had no previous concerns about her mental health and that they had made plans to go to South Africa on holiday when she returned from the trip.

In a statement, Virgin Atlantic said: “We are devastated by he loss of a much-loved member of our cabin crew community. Jasmin was deeply valued by her colleagues and took great pride in wearing the uniform. Our thoughts remain with her family and loved ones.”

After her tragic death, a GoFundMe page was set up, which raised £10,000 for her family. 

The tragic loss of a Jasmin highlights the issues that can accompany long-haul cabin crew roles in terms of isolation and anxiety. Whilst time away in 5-star hotels in some exotic locations may seem like the perfect job, for some it can prove incredibly difficult, especially when coupled with the pressures of the job and fatigue.

Our thoughts go out to all of Jasmin’s friends, family and Virgin Atlantic colleagues.

If you are struggling, please, PLEASE, reach out and speak to someone. You are NOT alone.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

© Confessions of a Trolley Dolly by Dan Air