Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Phoenix PD Release More Details in Carol Gotbaum's Death
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 1, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 1, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Witnesses told police that Carol Gotbaum was "teary" during her flight from New York to Phoenix, according to new documents released by the Phoenix Police Department. Another witness says the mother of three, who was traveling to Tucson for alcohol rehabilitation, may have also ordered an alcoholic drink during the flight.
Carol Gotbaum became upset when she missed her connection to Tucson, yelling and throwing things, and the Phoenix police took her into custody. She was later found dead in her holding cell, from apparent self-strangulation, possibly during an attempt to escape her shackles. Questions have been raised about whether the police acted properly in dealing with her, and the Gotbaum family, which includes her stepmother-in-law Betsy, NYC's Public Advocate, has hired a lawyer and investigator to probe the circumstances of her death and criticized the police during her funeral.
Two hundred pages of documents were released by the Phoenix police, and some of the details include:
- When told of his wife's death, Noah Gotbaum said, "They killed her, they killed her."
- A passenger on the NY-to-Phoenix flight said, "Ms. Gotbaum said that someone would have come with her, but it was her decision to do it on her own."
- A flight attendant says she served Gotbaum a Bloody Mary in the plane's galley, but another passenger says she didn't see Gotbaum drink.
- Servers at a Phoenix Airport restaurant where it was believed Gotbaum may have had a drink do not remember serving her.
- Betsy Gotbaum asked the Phoenix police to use Carol Gotbaum's maiden name "so as to insulate her and her family from media coverage."
Betsy Gotbaum had no comment. The Phoenix police believes the documents show "the police did what they had to do."
Tagged
airport
alcohol
betsy gotbaum
bloody mary
carol gotbaum
death
law
media
new york
News: NYC
noah gotbaum
nyc
phoenix
plane
police
police department
public advocate
The Phoenix
The Police
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .