Judd Efinger and Phi Efinger, the parents of Kyler Efinger, spoke with the media about their son’s tragic death at Salt Lake City International Airport. The 30-year-old Park City native reportedly died after climbing into the turbine engine of a Delta jet on New Year’s Day. According to KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City, the Airbus A220-100 was undergoing de-icing procedures at the time of the incident, and Efinger was found by airport personnel with the sharp turbine blades already rotating.
Newly surfaced video footage of the moments leading up to the young adult’s death revealed that he made numerous attempts to gain access to the runways. In the video, Efinger can be seen trying to open a locked door and then running off to find an alternate route. At one point, he even uses his shoes to pound on a window. Eventually, he is caught on thermal imaging camera running towards the jet before getting sucked into the engine.
Kyler’s father, Judd Efinger, revealed that the incident was a result of a mental health crisis triggered by a series of events leading up to the incident. The unfortunate string of delays that caused Kyler to miss his flight played a significant role in his breakdown, as it meant that he would not be able to say goodbye to his ailing grandfather on his deathbed. Speaking with KPCW-TV in Park City, Utah, Judd Efinger explained, “You know, there’s much to say that you sort of see them being consumed by the event. And then there is the trigger, and that leads to the extreme anger you see in the video. All of it was just too much for Kyler.”
Efinger’s disorder, which requires prescription medication, is said to have also suffered from bullying during his college days. He was constantly judged for being hyperactive and, according to his father, this had a significant impact on Kyler’s mental health. “He was brilliant, but a lot of kids just made fun of him for being hyper,” Judd Efinger stated, adding, “It’s just really heartless. And it was intensified by bullying. He just couldn’t grasp the concept of why people would do such a thing.”
As a family, the Efinger’s are now appealing to other parents who may be facing similar scenarios with their children to prioritize mental health. They believe that their son’s condition, if catered to appropriately, would not have resulted in his untimely death. “ I would just encourage other families that are going through this: it’s just not OK. It’s masking some of the issues, and he should have been going to professional doctors and therapists. Anyone dealing with similar issues should push for that,” Kyler Efinger’s father urged.
WATCH: The family of the man killed when he crawled into a jet engine Monday at the @slcairport says he was bipolar, and having a manic episode.
The family of Kyler Efinger says he was on his way to say goodbye to his dying grandfather in Denver. @KSL5TVhttps://t.co/Fjru1hQtki
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) January 4, 2024
In the aftermath of Kyler Efinger’s death, his parents are determined to use their loss to shed light on mental health issues and contribute to the fight against bullying in schools. In his final moments before succumbing to head trauma, Kyler had been arrested by the police and taken to a mental health facility. He had been evaluated for his behavior in jail, tested for drugs, and released the same day. The Efinger’s hope that their experience will ‘help the next family’ and that they can find solace in knowing that their son is finally in a happier place.