CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A stowaway who was found dead in the landing gear of an American Airlines aircraft at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in late September 2025 has been identified, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
Police found the body on Sunday, Sept. 28 when maintenance crews were working on the plane at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
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Shortly after 9 a.m., the stowaway was found in a landing gear compartment. The body was identified on Oct. 11 as 25-year-old Jose Joaquin De Leon Santiz.
"We are working with law enforcement on its investigation," American Airlines said in a statement.
CMPD said the Guatemalan consulate has notified Santiz's family and that the FBI is the lead agency for the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's tip line at 704-432-8477 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 704-334-1600.