Not sure I'd agree that the media will give the gender and age, it usually only includes the sex when the stereotype is not met, ie the female pilot, male kindergarden teacher etc. I doubt the news would have reported "a 28 year old male pilot"
It seems that, if read with a cynical slant, the sex of the person involved may have something to do with the incident.
I am in no way suggesting that this is the case. Sympathy to all involved.