83-year-old man died on Turkish Airlines flight to US

USA Today

25-07-2025

Officials in California have identified a passenger who died on a Turkish Airlines flight to the United States earlier this month.
On July 13, Turkish Airlines Flight 79 left Istanbul for San Francisco International Airport, when a passenger began to feel "unwell" and his heart stopped during the trip, according to Turkish Airlines.
The passenger was identified as 83-year-old Satyanarayana Pasupuleti, from India, Christy Canclini, executive assistant with the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, told USA TODAY on July 25.
Two doctors on board performed life-saving measures on the man, but he was pronounced dead, the airline told USA TODAY in a statement. The airline said the flight was later diverted to Chicago O'Hare International Airport to refuel.
The airline said it received the consent of Pasupuleti's relatives and authorities to continue the flight to San Francisco, where it landed with the body onboard around five and a half hours later than scheduled.
Upon landing, law enforcement officials took statements from all passengers, crew and Pasupuleti's relatives, the airline said. Passengers were allowed to leave soon after and the aircraft was later cleared to resume operations as usual.
Where is the body now?
Pasupuleti's body was sent to the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, according to Canclini.
Canclini said July 25 the office was unable to offer additional information about the passenger's death.
Airport officials did not clarify the purpose of Pasupuleti's trip from Istanbul to San Francisco.
Confirmation that the body is in possession of the San Mateo County Coroner's Office's clarified prior media reports saying the remains were "unaccounted for." The case falls under the jurisdiction of the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, as the San Francisco International Airport is located primarily in unincorporated San Mateo County.