NEW YORK, NY September 30, 2007 —The daughter-in-law of New York City's public advocate has died after being arrested at a Phoenix airport. Local police say 45-year-old Carol Anne Gotbaum died at Sky Harbor Airport Saturday. They say she appears to have accidentally strangled herself while trying to get out of her handcuffs.

Pubic Advocate Betsy Gotbaum tells the Daily News that the family is "extraordinarily upset" and is watching the investigation closely. She says her daughter-in-law had three small children. Police say Carol Ann Gotbaum died in a police holding room after being arrested for disorderly conduct.

A cause of death will be determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner.