Man accused of fatally stabbing 71-year-old flight attendant and injuring others in Denver

DENVER (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of stabbing several people over the weekend, killing two.

According to the Denver Police Department, the series of stabbings began shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11. Suspect Elijah Caudill allegedly first stabbed an adult man near 16th and Tremont streets around 5:12 p.m. Per KCNC-TV, the first victim was leaving work when the suspect ran up behind him and slashed him in the face. He transported himself to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Several minutes later, police allege Caudill stabbed an adult female. She was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased. According to KCNC, court documents identified the decedent as 71-year-old Celinda Levno, an American Airlines flight attendant in Denver who was on a layover at the time.

American Airlines reportedly said, "With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Phoenix-based flight attendant Celinda Levno while on layover in Denver. Celinda began her career with America West in 1989."

The airline company said the stabbing did not take place at the layover hotel, but crews laying over in downtown Denver were temporarily relocated to another hotel.

Later that day, Caudill allegedly stabbed another man in the torso near 16th and Lawrence streets. He was transported to a hospital with severe injuries but is expected to survive.

Denver Police were searching for the suspect in the vicinity of 16th and Wynkoop streets when they found a man matching his description running with a knife on July 12. Officers chased him and took him into custody. Shortly after Caudill’s apprehension, authorities found a fourth stabbing victim. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased.

Police said the suspect’s motive is under investigation, and "there does not appear to be any connection with the victims and Caudill."

Caudill remains held for investigation on suspicion of first-degree murder of an at-risk elder, first-degree murder, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. The Denver District Attorney’s Office will file formal charges.

Caudill reportedly has a criminal history, including multiple failure-to-appear warrants for misdemeanor arrests in 2024 for criminal mischief, assault, sexual contact –– no consent and indecent exposure. He was also accused of attempted robbery and assault in Thornton in 2022 and assault in 2021.

In a statement to KCNC, the Downtown Denver Partnership said, "We are horrified by the events that took place in Downtown Denver over the weekend and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all of those who have been impacted. While we take comfort in knowing that the suspect has now been apprehended thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Denver Police Department, this tragedy remains undeniably devastating to all of us at the Partnership."

The organization continued, "A safe environment is of the highest importance to all of us at the Downtown Denver Partnership, and we — together with our partners at DPD and the city — remain wholly focused on both the perception and reality of safety in our center city."

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