TSA returns lost luggage to woman 20 years later

TUCSON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- An Arizona woman said her faith in the airline industry was restored when her lost luggage was returned to her after 20 years.

Maria Dellos, owner of Maria's Art Creations in Tucson, said she received a call Tuesday from the Transportation Security Administration's lost and found saying a bag filled with art supplies was discovered at Tucson International Airport and a note found inside the bag identified her as the owner.

Dellos said the bag, which contained about $600 worth of items, was lost in transit 20 years ago when she returned home from a trade show in Las Vegas.

"This is product, art product, very valuable stuff," she said.

Dellos said she had luggage vanish again in August, but it was also returned recently.

"I'm absolutely thankful to the TSA for calling me today and giving me great faith back into the airline industry," Dellos said.

TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said officials are not sure how the bag ended up lost for 20 years.

"Items that predate our agency are interesting," he said. "But I understand that we just did some shuffling of equipment at the airport, so it's quite possible that we came across something that somebody left unattended for a long period of time."