Airline pilot charged with triple murder
A pilot working for American Airlines’ subsidiary PSA Airlines has been arrested at Louisville Airport on triple homicide charges,
Christian R. Martin was led away a day after being indicted by a grand jury, and is accused of killing Calvin and Pamela Phillips, and their neighbour, Edward Dansereau in 2015.
As well as the triple murder charges, Martin was charged with arson, burglary and evidence tampering.
Calvin Phillips, 59 was found shot to death in his home while the other two victims were found a few miles away in a burnt out car.
Martin’s police mugshot shows him still wearing his pilot’s uniform.
He has been a pilot with PSA Airlines since January 2018.
American Airlines said it is cooperating in the investigation.
"We will provide any investigative assistance possible to law enforcement throughout their investigation," it said.
"All of us at American Airlines and PSA Airlines are deeply saddened to have learned about these allegations from 2015. Our team was made aware of the indictment this morning after his arrest at Louisville International Airport."
A standard background check was conducted on Martin and the airline found ‘no criminal history that would disqualify him from being a commercial pilot’.
Martin was scheduled to work Flight 5523 from Louisville to Charlotte, and passengers waiting for the flight described a tense scene like something out of a movie as he was led away by police in handcuffs.
The flight was delayed three hours while the airline found a replacement pilot.
No motive for the murders was disclosed although previous news reports said Calvin Phillips was a witness in another case against Martin.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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