A Singapore Airlines (SIA) air stewardess was found dead in a San Francisco hotel room a few hours before she was supposed to depart from the city on the return long-haul flight on Wednesday.
According to a cabin crew member who chose to remain anonymous, Vanessa Yeap was a leading stewardess on a flight from Singapore to San Francisco with a stopover at Hong Kong. Reports said Yeap had been working with SIA for almost 16 years.
The source, who was not on the same flight, said the 38-year-old Penang-born stewardess was not feeling well when the cabin crew arrived in San Francisco, likely about two days before the return flight.
On Feb 1, the return flight from San Francisco was scheduled for about 1 am. Hence, the crew had to check out from the hotel on Jan 31 at around 10 pm to 11 pm. But Yeap did not appear at the lobby by the time. After waiting for her, her colleagues went up to check and found her dead in her room. They tried to resuscitate her but could not revive her.
On Thursday, SIA told The Straits Times: "We can confirm with regret that one of our female cabin crew was found deceased in her hotel room in San Francisco on Feb 1, 2017 (Singapore time). Our immediate priority is to provide the necessary assistance to the family of the crew member. As the case is under the investigation of the local authorities, we are unable to share any further details."
"The member of crew operated to SFO on flight SQ2/28 January and was due to have operated out from SFO on SQ1/1 February," the statement added.
Yeap's elder brother, who is on his way to San Francisco to claim the body, said "My loving sister, we love you and cherish you forever. We know you are in good hands with the lord in heaven now." Apparently, Yeap was single and was planning to get married.
