SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT News Release
		Release #12-15c December 15, 2000 For Immediate Release
						Media Office 916-264-5224  Lt. Sam Somers PC III: Ann Nichols Internet: www.sacpd.org

The Sacramento Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances of a possible in-flight death of a female white, 31 years of age.  The Sacramento Police Department has taken over as the lead agency in this investigation due to the FBI’s (San Jose office) initial findings.  The FBI normally has jurisdiction in matters that concern crimes which occur on aircraft, however at this time no foul play has been reported.

On December 14, 2000, at around 10:00 PM, the Sacramento Police Department was advised by the San Jose Police Department that a subject may have jumped from an aircraft shortly after departing Executive Airport (6151 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, California).  The aircraft was described as a “corporate charter” with 5 passengers, a pilot, and co-pilot.  The flight was alleged to have been chartered by Hewlett-Packard.  The plane was described as a “twin turbo prop Otter.”  After receiving this information the Sacramento Police Department began working with FAA officials at Executive Airport and the FBI to confirm information on where and when the person may have exited the aircraft.

The Sacramento Police Department learned this flight departed from Lincoln, California at around 4:30 PM.  The flight’s destination was San Jose, California.  At around 5:10 PM the pilot made an unscheduled landing at Executive Airport.  This landing was due to an “open door” warning light.  The pilot conducted a check of the aircraft, which included a review of the planes manuals and a consultation with an aircraft mechanic.  After no mechanical problems were detected, the pilot resumed his flight to San Jose.

Approximately two to five minutes after departing Executive Airport the pilot again saw the “open door” warning light.  The co-pilot went to the rear of the aircraft to investigate and discovered the emergency door was ajar.  The co-pilot also encountered air noise.   The co-pilot then secured the door.  At some point while the co-pilot was securing the door, a passenger(s) advised somebody had jumped from the aircraft.  The co-pilot apparently did not hear this information and returned to the cockpit.  The flight then continued until it arrived in San Jose at around 6:05 PM.

Officials from the San Jose Police Department, the NTSB, and the  FBI were next notified.  After an initial investigation they contacted the Sacramento Police Department to assist in the investigation.

After reviewing the information from the FBI and from the FAA officials at the Executive Airport, and when weather condition allowed, the Sacramento Police Department began an air search of identified areas south of Executive Airport.  The Sacramento Sheriffs Department also assisted with the search.
 
On December 15, 2000, at approximately 1:54 PM the Sacramento Police Department received a call from a citizen who had discovered a dead body in a field adjacent to her residence.  The location of the dead body was in a community garden just to the south of the dead end of Albion Way.  The Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento Fire Department immediately responded and confirmed that the person was in fact deceased.  They also observed the deceased was a female white, blonde hair, small build, and was wearing a black jacket.  This description, the physical condition of the body, and the location were consistent with the area where the earlier mentioned female white may have come to rest after departing the aircraft.

The Sacramento Police Department Homicide Unit, with the assistance of the FBI (Sacramento office) and the Sacramento County Coroner are currently investigating the circumstances of the deceased female located in the community garden.  They are also attempting to confirm if this death is connected to the in-flight incident.

Any request for victim(s) information should be directed to the Sacramento County Coroners Office.