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Woman Dies in Custody After Airport Arrest

New York mother of three missed flight, lost composure

By Lucas Laursen, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2007 12:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – A 45-year-old mother of three from a prominent New York family died in police custody yesterday after being arrested for disorderly conduct at the Phoenix airport. Carol Ann Gotbaum became agitated after missing her flight—the door was locked when she arrived at the gate—and was subdued and removed by police. Left in a holding cell, she apparently strangled herself as she tried to wriggle free of handcuffs, police said.

Gotbaum yelled "I'm not a terrorist! I'm a sick mom! I need help!" as police restrained her at the airport, the New York Daily News reports. She was the daughter-in-law of New York City public advocate Betsy Gotbaum and veteran labor leader Victor Gotbaum. "Carol was a wonderful person," Betsy Gotbaum said last night. "She was a wonderful mother. At this moment, we are awaiting the results of the investigation."

This undated family photo provided by the Office of the Public Advocate for the City of New York shows Carol Anne Gotbaum. Gotbaum, 45, was found dead in a police holding cell in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday,... (Associated Press)

Carol Ann Gotbaum's mother-in-law, New York Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum in a stock photo. (Getty Images)

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Woman Dies in Custody After Airport Arrest

New York mother of three missed flight, lost composure

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

airport • Gotbaum • accidental death

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Family Sues for $8M in NY Mom's Airport Death

Accidentally strangled trying to escape cuffs in Phoenix holding cell

Arrest of Woman Who Died in Custody Caught on Tape

Police release video of Carol Gotbaum screaming, resisting arrest

Teen Killed by Toy Cannon

Replica cannon held shot, fired accidentally

Dead Accident Victim to Be Sued For Flying Body Parts

Court allows woman to sue estate of Chicago teen killed by train

What Makes This the World's Scariest Airport

Paro Airport in Bhutan is in a treacherous location, to say the least

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