AA Pilot Meets Violent End In Pompano
POMPANO BEACH (CBS4) - BSO investigators are asking for help with leads into the death of a popular American Airlines pilot whose body was found by deputies last Friday at his Pompano Beach home.
Russell Walker was not seen for at least a week before deputies were asked to check on him.
BSO is releasing few details about the death, but confirmed Tuesday that the body of the pilot was found after deputies were sent to his home in the 700 block of SE 7th avenue shortly after 10 pm Friday for what they called a 'welfare check'. When he didn't respond, deputies found the body inside.
"We want to know where he was in those 7 to 10 days," Dani Moschella from the BSO said. "Who he was with and what he was doing. Information like that could be vital in solving this case. It might help us determine how he died and who was responsible."
Moschella told D'Oench, "information like that could be vital in solving this case. It might help us determine how he died and who was responsible."
BSO investigators indicated Walker was killed, but did not say how.
But sources told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that Walker may have been killed after opening his front door and that there were no apparent signs of forced entry. Sources told D'Oench his body may have been inside the home for at least two days before being discovered.
Meanwhile, a single candle was burning outside his home as a tribute to the pilot.
American Airlines said Walker was based at Miami International Airport, which is a major crew base for the airline, and had been with the airline for 18 years. He had been serving as a first officer on the airline's Boeing 767 jumbo jets.
Walker's neighbor and friend Ed Goodman was surprised to hear Walker had met a violent end.
"As a neighbor, I can tell you he was a very nice guy," Goodman told CBS4's Peter D'Oench. "He always gave assistance to all of his neighbors whenever they needed it, particularly during hurricanes. He was always helping people out."
Investigators are asking for help finding the person who killed Walker. Goodman isn't sure where to start.
"As far as anyone who would have any enemies at all," he said, "I would put him at the bottom of my list."
BSO is asking anyone with information to come forward.
"We're very eager to solve this case," Moschella said. "We're very eager to catch the killer. We're hoping the public can provide the missing piece or pieces of this so we can solve this case quickly."
Anyone with information about Walker's death is asked to contact BSO Homicide Detective Tim Duggan at (954) 321-4211 or anonymously report tips to Broward Crimestoppers at 954-493 TIPS or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest.
