Over the weekend of January 11, 2025, Celinda Levno, a 71-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Phoenix, Arizona, was tragically killed during a layover in Denver, Colorado. She was one of two fatalities in a series of seemingly random attacks that occurred in downtown Denver, leaving four others injured.
Levno, whose career as a flight attendant began in 1989 with America West Airlines (later merged with US Airways and then American Airlines in 2005), was stabbed in the throat near the intersection of 16th and California streets just after 5 p.m. on Saturday. She was quickly transported to a local hospital, where she underwent extensive surgery but succumbed to her injuries early on Sunday morning.
Denver police have arrested 24-year-old Elijah D. Caudill in connection with the four stabbings, which took place between Saturday and Sunday evenings. The first attack occurred between 5 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, with the victim sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Levno was the second victim, with a third surviving victim following her. The final victim, who was stabbed near 16th Street and Market just before midnight on Sunday, also died due to their injuries.
According to investigators, three of the stabbings took place within a 42-minute timeframe on Saturday evening in the 16th Street Mall area, a bustling pedestrian zone in downtown Denver. Police confirmed that all the attacks seemed to be random and unprovoked.
Caudill, who has a criminal record that includes attempted robbery, assault, and failure-to-appear warrants, was taken into custody late Sunday. Thus far, detectives have found no link between Caudill and his victims, and the motive behind the attacks remains unclear. Caudill’s grandparents have disclosed that he has been struggling with mental health and drug issues for many years.
“She will now be with us every stride, and her love for horses will be carried on through all of us,” Josephine Dale, a close friend of Levno, told The Arizona Republic. Dale shared images of Levno, one of which showed her riding a white horse with an American flag.
Friends remember Levno as a talented flute player and a kind-hearted individual. “She was an incredible and kind woman,” Dale added, also noting Levno’s dedication as a flight attendant and her love for animals. Another friend, Yvonne Shields, posted online, “RIP my sweet friend.”
A spokesperson for American Airlines condemned the attack on Levno as a senseless act of violence, expressing sympathy for her family, friends, and coworkers. The airline confirmed Levno’s long-standing career as a flight attendant, which spanned over 30 years, and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.
In the wake of Levno’s death, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants has taken action, announcing that crews staying over in downtown Denver will be temporarily relocated to a hotel near Denver International Airport. The organization has also activated its Employee Assistance Program to provide support services to flight attendants coping with the loss of their colleague.
Following the attacks, the Denver Police Department has increased its downtown presence and is urging the public to stay alert. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage from businesses along the 16th Street Mall, and anyone with further information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. The department plans to release more details about the suspect and the ongoing investigation in the near future.