A 25-year-old Virgin Atlantic flight attendant took her own life after becoming convinced she would lose her "dream job" for getting drunk with colleagues while grounded at a luxury hotel in Jamaica, an inquest has heard.
A Dream Job and a Tragic Spiral
Jasmin Winthrop, from Poole in Dorset, was described as bubbly, hard-working and someone who loved her role with the airline. The tragedy unfolded in January after she became unwell with a severe sinus infection during a flight from London to Jamaica. Grounded from the return journey, she was instructed to recover at a five-star hotel in Montego Bay.
On January 27, she met with a new crew who had arrived at the hotel. They spent the day drinking sparkling wine and cocktails by the swimming pool. Miss Winthrop became "tipsy" and later vomited in public, an incident which caused her extreme embarrassment and anxiety.
Messages Reveal Profounding Anxiety Over Job Security
Senior colleagues took her back to her room and reassured her she was not in trouble. However, her fears escalated. She sent a WhatsApp message that night saying: "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?"
In a voice note to a friend, she stated she would take her own life if she were fired. Her flight service manager, Kiri Page, told the Bournemouth inquest: "She was tearful and apologetic and kept saying 'sorry, I don't want to lose my job'. I reassured Jasmin that she was not in trouble."
Discovery and Aftermath
When colleagues could not reach her the following morning, they grew concerned. With the help of hotel security, they entered her room at around 1.30pm on January 28 and discovered Miss Winthrop hanged on the balcony.
A post-mortem examination found her cause of death was hanging and that her blood alcohol level was above the drink-drive limit. Jamaican police found no indication of foul play.
In a suicide note, she wrote: "Truly I loved my job at Virgin Atlantic more than anything but I f****d it up." Her mother, Gemma Winthrop, said the family had no prior concerns about her mental health and that her actions were "a result of what happened during her time in Jamaica."
Dorset Senior Coroner Rachael Griffin recorded a conclusion of suicide. A GoFundMe page set up after her death has raised £10,000 for her family. Virgin Atlantic said they were "devastated" and that Jasmin was "much loved by all her colleagues".
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. Support is also available via the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58.
