CHICAGO – The woman who died Thursday morning at O’Hare International Airport after becoming trapped in a plane has been identified and the cause of death announced.

Virginia Christine Vinton, 57, of North Carolina, died after becoming entangled in machinery at Terminal 5.

At 4:00 p.m., the Cook County Coroner announced Vinton’s cause of death as suicide by asphyxiation.

An employee spotted Vinton at 7:45 a.m. while inspecting the baggage handling area. Chicago police said they found a video showing the woman entering an unoccupied restricted area at 2:27 a.m. It is still unknown whether the woman was a passenger.

According to the fire department, the woman was found “tangled”.

“You wonder how this could all happen – how can someone go in there and just be dead within five hours? What happened there earlier?” said Timmy, who was waiting to pick up a loved one on Thursday.

Sources told FOX 32 that the incident occurred behind the scenes at baggage claim, in an area that is not particularly secure but where passengers are not allowed to be.

“I am very shocked that someone could die in such a tragic way in such a safe place,” said Phil, who works at the airport.

Chicago police continue to investigate the incident.