Police say no conclusion has been reached about Jenny Lupton’s manner of death as detectives review surveillance video and conduct interviews.
HONOLULU, Hawaii — Honolulu police homicide detectives are investigating the death of Southwest Airlines flight attendant Jenny Lupton, 50, who died during a work layover in Waikiki on Aug. 20, while authorities say they have not determined the manner of her death.
The Honolulu Police Department said its Homicide Detail is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Lupton’s death as part of an unattended death investigation. Police said detectives are conducting numerous interviews, reviewing and recovering surveillance video and examining evidence. The department emphasized that no conclusions have been reached about the manner of death and said some information will remain confidential while the investigation is underway. Police have not announced that Lupton’s death was a homicide.
Lupton, an Oklahoma resident and longtime flight attendant, was staying in Waikiki during a Hawaii layover. Her family has said it was told that she appeared to have fallen from a 24th-floor balcony at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Family members said she was found outside the hotel on the morning of Aug. 20. Police have not publicly confirmed the family’s account of the apparent fall or released a detailed account of how Lupton died.
The City and County of Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner has not determined Lupton’s official cause or manner of death. A spokesperson for the office told People that reaching a final determination could take several months, depending on the investigation and any testing that may be required. That leaves several central questions unanswered, including what happened before Lupton’s death and whether another person played any role.
Lupton’s relatives have publicly questioned the circumstances and said they do not believe she died by suicide. Her niece Hannah Lupton has said the family is concerned about the possibility of foul play, but investigators have not announced evidence establishing that another person was involved. Honolulu police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims while detectives continue their work.
Family members have pointed to Lupton’s activities and communications before her death as reasons they want a full investigation. Relatives said she went dancing with another flight attendant and got the outline of a hibiscus tattoo while in Hawaii. Her sister, Tresa Lupton, said Jenny had discussed adding color to the tattoo after returning home. The tattoo was intended to honor their late father, according to family accounts. Those details reflect the family’s concerns but do not establish how Lupton died.
Lupton had worked as a flight attendant for 29 years, including 26 years with Southwest Airlines, according to her niece. She was also the mother of a 15-year-old son. Relatives and colleagues have described her as outgoing and inclusive, and family members said Hawaii was a destination she knew well through her years of traveling for work.
Southwest Airlines said it has offered condolences and support to Lupton’s family and co-workers and is cooperating with local authorities. Hilton Hawaiian Village also expressed condolences and said it is cooperating with investigators. Neither company has publicly provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding the death.
The case has also drawn attention from Oklahoma officials. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office said the office is in contact with Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez’s office to help ensure a proper investigation and is also communicating with the Lupton family. The involvement does not change which agency is conducting the local police investigation, but it adds another official channel through which the family is seeking information.
Honolulu police said the investigation remains active and will take time. Detectives continue to conduct interviews, recover and review surveillance footage and examine evidence. Police said they would notify the public if investigators identify an immediate threat to public safety. Until police and the medical examiner complete their work, Lupton’s official cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
Author note: Last updated August 25, 2026.