EXCLUSIVE Ex CEO of Continental Airlines accused of seizing girlfriend's body after mysterious death in Mexican clinic

Daily Mail​

28-04-2025

The former CEO of Continental Airlines is embroiled in a $10million lawsuit after being accused of seizing the corpse of his socialite girlfriend after she died mysteriously at a Mexican dermatology clinic.
Jessica Rossman, 56, went for a 'standard dermatology procedure' in Puerto Vallarta last month but 'never made it out' of the facility, according to a complaint filed by her brother, Lucho Rossman.
Lucho suspects foul play and wants an independent autopsy performed in the US to determine what killed his vivacious, 'healthy' sister, a retired lawyer and charity stalwart.
But he claims that's not possible because Jessica's longtime partner Gordon Bethune – a celebrated former aviation executive and CNBC contributor – 'improperly took control' of her body and plans to cremate it.
The troubling allegation is detailed in a seven-page complaint filed in Houston and obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com.
Lucho wants 83-year-old Bethune hit with a restraining order, barring him from possessing, controlling or cremating Jessica's remains so the Rossmans can finally have her repatriated.
'Time is of the essence!' Lucho's suit pleads. 'The decedent's remains continue to deteriorate with each passing day.'
The grieving sibling is also seeking between $1million and $10million in damages from Bethune, who has not commented or filed a response to Friday's filing.
Lucho, who filed the petition for a temporary restraining order on Friday, said he 'has suspicions of foul play' and described his sister as a 'healthy 56-year-old woman'
Jessica and Bethune were vacationing in Puerto Vallarta last month when her shellshocked family received a call to say her body was in a morgue at the city's Forensic Science Institute.
Exactly how she came to be there is shrouded in mystery and officials in the Pacific Coast resort have not disclosed the cause of her death.
'On March 31, 2025, while in Puerto Vallarta, Jessica went to a dermatology clinic for a standard procedure,' the suit reads.
'Suddenly, and without any explanation given, Jessica never made it out of the aforementioned procedure, as she inexplicably passed away during her visit to the dermatology clinic.
'Lucho Rossman, whom is the brother of Jessica, has suspicions of foul play.'
Bethune – who is battling Parkinson's disease – 'abruptly left Puerto Vallarta and abandoned Jessica's body, as he flew back home to the United States,' writes Lucho's attorney, Jamal Hicks.
'Days later, with no authorization from plaintiff or any of Jessica's family, defendant unknowingly flew back to Puerto Vallarta and took control of Jessica's deceased body.
'Defendant has no authority, by way, of neither Jessica's family nor any standing Texas laws, to possess Jessica's deceased body, nor control the disposition of Jessica's deceased body.'
Lucho stated that Bethune has 'no authority' over her body and wants the Harris County Texas Court to intervene
The suit claims Bethune is still in Puerto Vallarta with Jessica's body and has 'intentions on cremating' her, which Lucho is desperate for the court to prevent.
'Plaintiff is entitled to a temporary restraining order because he has suffered and continues to suffer injury,' his suit states, alleging mental anguish.
'The continued emotional toll this abhorrent situation wreaks on the decedent's family continues with each passing day. And, until fixed, it will continue irreparably.'
Bethune is described as a 'colleague' in the lawsuit but Jessica's family say he was a longtime romantic partner and the pair were photographed attending multiple meals and functions as a couple.
He held leadership posts at Boeing, Braniff and Piedmont Airlines before taking the helm at Continental from 1994 to 2004, spearheading a dramatic turnaround in its fortunes prior to its 2010 merger with United Airlines.
Bethune did not respond to multiple calls from DailyMail.com when we first reported news of Jessica's mystery death.
It was a similar story when we contacted the business she's said to have visited, the Dr Carlos Diaz Health & Beauty clinic, but didn't receive a reply.
The facility offers everything from penis enlargements to Botox and Morpheus8 micro-needling treatments to 'smooth wrinkles, revitalize your skin, or sculpt your figure'.
Jessica, pictured with a friend in Puerto Vallarta during a 2023 trip, is understood to have selected a 'simple' outpatient-type skin procedures that she has had before
Jessica was a senior attorney and marketing director for more than two decades at Continental and later United.
The UC Berkeley alum took early retirement but continued to volunteer for non-profits including Kids Meals and the AIDS Foundation Houston.
Lucho, a doctor based out of Long Island, New York, told DailyMail.com his sister had lived life to the full after taking early retirement.
'Jessica's personality was exceptional, maybe even over the top, you could say. She loved to have fun. She was well educated, accomplished and smart as a whip,' he said.
'She had taken a very active, outgoing, early retirement because she was lucky enough to be in a position to do that.
'She is – or was – my only sibling, it's incredibly sad. This has been a huge shock for everyone.'
Those sentiments were echoed by stunned friends and former colleagues who flooded Jessica's Facebook page with effusive tributes.
'Jessica was beautifully complex – brilliant, sarcastic, compassionate, effortlessly funny, and fiercely loyal,' wrote Kristi Hoss Schiller.
Jessica's shocked friends wrote tributes on her Facebook page, with one saying she was a champion for friends they had lost to AIDS and HIV
'She made you feel like the most fascinating person in the room… right before outwitting you with a sideways grin and a perfectly timed zinger.'
Robert Falcon posted: 'I'm at a total loss for words. One of my oldest childhood friends, classmates and neighbor.
'You were a champion for those friends we lost too soon to AIDS/HIV and brought light to every room you walked into.'
Romy Lauren, another heartbroken friend, added: 'Your unexpected departure has left a deep, permanent and very painful impression on my heart that is slowly but surely filling up with the most joyful and precious memories.
'I love you always and forever Jess.'