A tragic incident has rocked American Airlines after one of their Phoenix-based flight attendants was killed in a random stabbing attack on the streets of Denver. According to FOX31 Denver, “Denver police said a man has been arrested in connection to four stabbings along 16th Street that killed a woman and a man and injured two others over the weekend. Late Sunday night, Denver police posted on X that an adult man had been formally arrested for the three stabbings on Saturday and the deadly stabbing Sunday night. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Elijah Caudill.”
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) confirmed the flight attendant’s identity as Celinda Levno, 71, who began her career with American Airlines in 1989. According to ABC15, “Josephine Dale, one of Levno’s close friends, told ABC15’s sister station Denver7 that Levno was stabbed along a walking mall in Denver around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Dale said Levno was rushed to the hospital, where she died early Sunday morning after surgery.”
American Airlines issued the following statement on the incident: “We are heartbroken and mourning the tragic loss of our colleague who was the victim of a senseless crime last night. Our thoughts and support are with her family, loved ones, and colleagues, and we are doing all we can to assist law enforcement in its investigation.”
The APFA also released a statement: “With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Phoenix-based Flight Attendant Celinda Levno while on layover in Denver. Celinda began her career with America West in 1989. Celinda’s love for her horses, friends, and family will always be remembered. We stand in support with Celinda’s family, friends, and our colleagues in Phoenix Inflight as they process this senseless tragedy. While this tragic event did not take place at the layover hotel, crews laying over in downtown Denver will be temporarily relocated to a hotel near the Denver airport. APFA Employee Assistance (EAP) is available to help Flight Attendants process this unexpected tragic loss. On behalf of APFA, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Celinda’s family, friends, and all Phoenix Crewmembers who had the pleasure of flying with her.”
This is an unimaginable tragedy, and I cannot fathom what Celinda’s family, friends, and colleagues are going through. It is reassuring to know that the authorities apprehended the suspect, and flight attendants have been relocated to a safer area of the city. I sincerely hope the city of Denver increases its police presence to prevent such a horrific incident from occurring again.
