Authorities have released the name of the individual struck and killed by a departing Frontier flight at Denver International Airport on Friday.
At a press conference Tuesday, Denver Chief Medical Examiner Sterling McLaren said the person was identified as Michael Mott, 41.
He died of “multiple blunt- and sharp-force injuries,” she said, and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.
It was not immediately clear where Mott was from. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said Mott has “had some law enforcement contact in the metro area,” but did not go into detail.
Asked by a reporter if investigators recovered a suicide note, McLaren said no note was found at the scene of the strike.
Mott is believed to have scaled an eight-foot fence topped with barbed wire on the airport’s perimeter, then walked to Runway 17L, where he was hit.
Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said ground detection sensors set off an alarm around 11:10 p.m. Friday in the general area where Mott is believed to have jumped the fence. The operator on duty reviewed the alarm and identified a herd of deer nearby just outside the fence; they did not initially see the trespasser.
Washington said the airport takes a “layered” approach to perimeter security, with cameras, security patrols, and other measures in place. Officials are now reviewing those procedures to identify potential gaps, and ways to remedy them.
The Frontier flight aborted its takeoff for Los Angeles after reporting an engine fire and smoke in the cabin. All passengers and crew were evacuated using inflatable slides, and five people were hospitalized with minor injuries.
