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Gay U.S. Airways Flight Attendent Stripped, Tied, Strangled to Death in Mexico City

Posted by on Oct 31, 2011 in Bad News | 10 comments

Nick Aaronson in better, less hateful times.

27-year-old Nick Aaronson’s body was found naked on his hotel bed, with his hands tied behind his back and a belt around his neck this weekend. The U.S. Airways flight attendent had been strangled to death, and his body showed signs of choking and beating beforehand.

A Mexico City paper said that Aaronson, who lived in the Phoenix area, was found on the floor of his room by his co-workers just after 6 a.m. Saturday morning at a five star Hilton hotel.

Prosecutors said no drugs, weapons or messages were found in the room.

Aaronson’s luggage and belongings were discovered strewn about into the hotel hallway, and his iPhone was stolen by the killer, leading police to an arrest through GPS tracking of the phone.

The murder, while horrific, should not be used to judge the LGBT cultural acceptance of the area. Same-sex marriage was legalized in Mexico City in 2009, and the city is known for it’s diversity.

Aaronson, who once participated in the NOH8 campaign, continues a recent global trend of excessive violence against gays and lesbians with his murder. October has brought us an unusual number of grizzly deaths against LGBT people, with victims tied to street posts and left for dead, and several gay men set on fire – two of which occurred inside of a gay bar.

Our deepest condolences go out to Aaronson’s loved ones. The violence against gays and lesbians MUST END.