The heartbroken mom of a Texas airport worker who killed himself by jumping into a jet engine after reportedly handing his supervisor a suicide note wrapped in a $1 bill says she’s in disbelief.
David Renner, 27, was ‘ingested’ into the engine at 10:25pm on June 23 at San Antonio International Airport after a witness says he walked to the captain’s side of the Delta airliner, bent down and jumped up into the engine.
The 27-year-old’s mother, Courtney McDowell, posted a harrowing tribute on Facebook alongside a picture of Renner saying: ‘I can’t believe this is real, I close my eyes and I see your smile.
‘David I love you more than you could ever imagine, what I wouldn’t give for one last hug and kiss. I love you my baby boy, you are with your brother and uncles.’
The heartbroken mom of a Texas airport worker, David Renner, (pictured) who killed himself by jumping into a jet engine after reportedly handing his supervisor a suicide note wrapped in a $1 bill says she’s in disbelief
Renner, 27, was ‘ingested’ into the engine at 10:25pm on June 23 at San Antonio International Airport after a witness says he walked to the captain’s side of the Delta airliner, bent down and jumped up into the engine
Renner’s brother, Joshua, told DailyMail.com in the wake of the tragedy that ‘David’s childhood was complicated at times’ as he was separated among two households.
‘This isn’t the first time David has tried something like this from my knowledge,’ Joshua said.
‘There were other times. This time I thought it was different.’
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday ruled Renner’s death a suicide and confirming the airport staffers identity with the report.
The 27-year-old’s mother, Courtney McDowell, (L) posted a harrowing tribute on Facebook alongside a picture of Renner (R) saying: ‘I can’t believe this is real, I close my eyes and I see your smile’
The Delta plane that ‘ingested’ Renner arrived at the airport Friday night.
Renner was working for a company that Delta contracts for ground support. An autopsy found that he died from blunt and sharp force injuries.
His brother said there were no hints that Renner was thinking of self-harming.
‘The reason I say that is because he was almost five months clean and living every day to the fullest,’ he said, claiming ‘there was zero indication this time.’
‘David had been clean for over eight months, was in therapy, [was] actively taking his prescribed medication and had finally become the David we all knew he could be.’
Joshua said his older brother ‘loved magic.’
‘He was always trying to perform some little sleight of hand for his friends and family,’ he recounted.
Renner’s brother, Joshua, told DailyMail.com in the wake of the tragedy that ‘David’s childhood was complicated at times’ as he was separated among two households
The Delta plane remained at the gate the next morning and flights in the airport were delayed
‘He also loved making people laugh – he made it his mission to tell everyone at least one joke a day.’
But, he said, his older brother had struggled with his mental health in the past.
Their parents ‘were making sure that he was taking good care of himself’ prior to his death.
Joshua said his family is now ‘doing the best they can do right now,’ noting that ‘some days are tougher than others.
‘David is one of many others that suffer with mental illness and it’s not always very clear to us to see,’ he said.
He is urging people to reach out when they notice someone is struggling ‘because someone random can save a life to a random stranger.’
‘The simplest smile can always make a difference,’ he said.
Authorities said that an employee at San Antonio International Airport had been ‘ingested’ into the engine of Delta Flight 1111 at around 10.25pm, on Friday.
The plane had just arrived from Los Angeles and was taxiing to a gate.
It had just one engine on at the time, when a source briefed on Renner’s death said it appeared he ‘intentionally stepped in front of the live engine.’
The plane remained at the gate the next morning and flights in the airport were delayed.
Renner’s brother said there were no hints that he was thinking of self-harming: ‘The reason I say that is because he was almost five months clean and living every day to the fullest’
The doting mom posted several posts about her ‘baby boy’ over the years, often to celebrate his birthday
Unifi Aviation, where Renner worked, released a statement Saturday saying: ‘We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family member’s life in San Antonio.
‘Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.’
San Antonio airport officials also said they were ‘saddened’ by the worker’s death.
The National Transportation Safety Board responded to the news of his suicide by saying it would not be investigating Renner’s death.
‘The NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event,’ a spokesperson for the federal agency said. ‘There were no operational issues with either the airplane or the airport.’
If you or someone you know is struggling, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255. An online chat is also available.
