DNA testing confirms body of flight attendant who was killed and thrown from bridge
Murder of Missing Flight Attendant Confirmed; Former Roommate Arrested
By Maine News Now
Fort Worth, Texas – June 25, 2025
The body that surfaced in a Texas creek last month has been officially identified as Rana Nofal Soluri, a 47‑year‑old flight attendant for Envoy Air, a regional carrier of American Airlines. DNA testing completed at the University of North Texas Health’s Center for Human Identification confirmed the identity after the remains were found on the bank of Brushy Creek under a bridge in Montague County, about 70 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Soluri, whose name appeared on a missing persons list in March 2025, had taken a brief leave for a minor operation and was scheduled to return to work on March 31. She failed to show up, and a coworker reported her missing on June 11 after attempts to reach her proved futile. She had been last seen living in a Fort Worth apartment with 67‑year‑old Dennis Day, a former roommate and long‑time friend.
A Body Finds Its Way to the Creek
A fisherman on June 13 discovered a human body floating in Brushy Creek. Police responded and transported the remains to the university lab, where DNA analysis matched them to Soluri. According to a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Police Department, the confirmation came after a "rigorous and thorough testing process" that included comparing the remains to Soluri’s personal items and genetic profile.
“We’re grateful that science gave us a definitive answer about Rana’s fate,” the spokesperson told NBC News. The confirmation also cleared questions about whether the body in the creek was a different person or a mistaken identification.
Dennis Day Faces Murder Charge
Dennis Day was arrested in June 2025 and charged with the murder of Soluri. An arrest warrant cited by authorities indicates that Day admitted in the presence of law enforcement that he had “snapped” during a dispute with Soluri and that he then “began to strangle her with his bare hands.” Investigators allege that the killing took place on March 21 in the kitchen of the apartment where the two had lived.
Surveillance footage from the apartment shows Day dragging what appears to be a lifeless body into the backyard. In a separate recording, he can be heard making a frantic call to another woman’s phone, asking for assistance in moving Soluri’s body. The woman, identified as 63‑year‑old Joni Thomas—also known as Joanne Walters—has been charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the disposal of the corpse. Prosecutors say Thomas helped Day transport the body approximately 70 miles to a bridge over Brushy Creek, where it was dumped.
Day’s arrest came after a report that, while in jail, he boasted that he would “not be convicted if the authorities never found Soluri’s body.” The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office cited the statement in a notice filed with the court. His defense team has not yet announced a strategy for the upcoming trial.
The Aftermath and Family’s Response
Following the discovery of the body, American Airlines arranged for Soluri’s remains to be flown to Seattle for a Muslim burial, which took place on September 29, 2025. Lulu Soluri, Rana’s daughter, has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and to support her mother’s family. In the description, Lulu writes: “Lulu is a very private person, so this is a huge feat for her to face the person accused of killing her mother. Lulu thanks everyone for their support. She is always overwhelmed knowing how many people have helped her during this process.”
Lulu plans to travel to Texas to attend a future court date, where she is expected to deliver a statement about her mother’s disappearance and the alleged murder. Her attorney has said that the family is prepared to testify but is also concerned about the emotional toll of confronting the accused.
Current Status and Next Steps
The case remains pending, with the district attorney’s office preparing for a trial that is expected to take place in the fall. While Day’s arrest and the evidence presented by prosecutors point to a premeditated murder, the defense has yet to file a formal response. The court will consider the surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and testimony from witnesses, including the apartment’s resident assistant who first noticed Soluri’s absence.
For the Soluri family and the Fort Worth community, the confirmation of Rana’s identity brings a painful closure after months of uncertainty. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover how the crime unfolded and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.