A coroner has ruled that a young Virgin Atlantic flight attendant tragically died by suicide after becoming consumed with the thought that she was going to be fired for getting drunk while staying at a layover hotel in the airline’s luxury all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Flight attendant was temporarily grounded due to sinus infection
Jasmin Winthrop, 25, had been working on a flight from London Heathrow to Montego Bay in January 2025, but she came increasingly unwell due to a sinus infection, and on arrival in Jamaica, she was grounded for several days so that she could get better before returning to London.
After several days on her own at the resort hotel that Virgin Atlantic put its pilots and flight attendants up at, Jasmin started to feel better and met up with some of her colleagues from another flight who were staying at the airport.
Jasmin enjoyed sparkling wine and cocktails as she started to let her hair down in the sun, but after getting drunk and being physically sick, two colleagues helped her back to her room so that she could sleep off the effects of the alcohol.
Helped to her room, she started to fear she might lose her job
Once back in her room, however, an inquest heard how she became consumed with embarrassment and fear that she would lose her job because she had gotten drunk while unable to work due to her illness.
Jasmin started to message her friends, explaining how she felt, telling one, “I feel so embarrassed. That’s what you get for being on your own for a few days, then going a bit mad.”
“I’m so anxious, am I going to lose my job or anything?” Jasmin asked, before adding: “Does the FSM (flight service manager) hate me?”
She then sent a voice note to another friend saying that she might take her own life if she were fired.
Officials in Jamaica rule there was no sign of foul play
The next day, several of Jasmin’s coworkers tried to get in contact with Jasmin but couldn’t get any response. Becoming increasingly worried about her mental state, they got in touch with the FSM, who enlisted the help of one of the pilots and the hotel’s security team to check on her welfare.
“We went to the room with security, it was Shane (Browne), the first officer, myself, and the security staff,” Kiri Page, the FSM, told an inquest.
“Shane pulled the curtain back, and I could see his reaction – he was just screaming.”
Jasmin had left a heartbreaking note that read: “Truly, I loved my job at Virgin Atlantic more than anything, but I f***ed it up.”
Police in Jamaica were called to the hotel and opened an investigation into Jasmin’s death. They concluded that she died by hanging and ruled out any foul play in connection with her death.
Kiri told the inquest that she had attempted to reassure Jasmin that she was not in trouble and had not intended to report her drunken behavior to the airline.
What Virgin Atlantic said about the tragedy
Following her death, a spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic commented:
“We are devastated that a member of our cabin crew community sadly passed away whilst overseas. Our people mean the world to us, and Jasmin was much loved by all her colleagues.”
“She truly loved being cabin crew and she shone every time she stepped onboard wearing her uniform with great pride.”
“All our deepest sympathies are with her family and loved ones.”
Jasmin’s mother told the inquest that she didn’t have any concerns about her daughter’s mental health, although the court did hear evidence that Jasmin had previously suffered from anxiety.
Senior Coroner Rachael Griffin recorded Jasmin’s death as suicide, noting in her ruling: “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.”
Bottom line
This is such an incredibly sad and tragic story, which really paints a picture of how lonely and isolating the job of being cabin crew can be.
While there is no denying that having a job that sends you to stay in luxury five-star hotels can be amazing, what’s rarely spoken about is those moments, jetlagged and alone, when worries and life troubles can become amplified to the extreme, without any support network nearby.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available.
- US readers: You can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support at any time.
- UK readers: Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123, or you can visit samaritans.org for more ways to get help.
