Lauren Hilty, her husband Ross Mickel and their young child are presumed dead after a floatplane carrying them and seven others crashed into Puget Sound near Whidbey Island in Washington.
- Sep 7, 2022
AceShowbiz - Megan Hilty and her family are mourning the loss of her sister in a tragic accident. The "Smash" alum's sister Lauren Hilty, brother-in-law Ross Mickel and the couple's young child Remy Mickel died in a plane crash on Sunday, September 4.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday that the Broadway star's family members were among ten people on board the floatplane that crashed into Puget Sound near Whidbey Island over the weekend. It's unclear what caused the crash. Lauren was pregnant at the time of the crash.
Ross' family told a local news outlet in the wake of the accident, "We are deeply saddened and beyond devastated at the loss of our beloved Ross Mickel, Lauren Hilty, Remy and their unborn baby boy, Luca. Our collective grief is unimaginable."
"They were a bright and shining light in the lives of everyone who knew them," the family added. "Although their time with us was too short, we will carry their legacy forward. We want to thank all the first responders, emergency service agencies of Whidbey Island, Island County, the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), and the private citizens who participated in the search and rescue efforts following the crash."
"The enormous outpouring and support we have received from our friends, family, and the public has been overwhelming," the statement went on to read. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who also lost loved ones on-board. At this difficult time, we are requesting that our privacy be respected as we grieve the loss of our family members."
Megan has not publicly reacted to the tragedy. The 41-year-old actress also has a sister named Kristen Hilty.
Ross was a local winemaker and owner of Ross Andrew Wineries. The pilot was Jason Winters, while the other passengers were identified as Patricia Hicks, Sandra Williams, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, Joanne Mera and Gabrielle Hanna.
One unidentified body had been discovered before the Coast Guard ended the search for survivors on Monday afternoon after "saturating an area" of more than 2,100 square nautical miles. The other nine are still missing, but presumed dead.
"All next of kin have been notified of this decision," the Coast Guard said on Twitter. "Our hearts go out to the families, loved ones and friends of those who remain missing and the deceased." Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Cmdr. Xochitl Castaneda added, "The Coast Guard offers its deepest sympathies to those who lost a loved one in this tragedy."
Gov. Jay Inslee also expressed his condolences on Twitter. "Trudi and I are devastated at the loss of those aboard the plane that crashed near Whidbey Island this weekend," he tweeted on Tuesday morning. "Our hearts are with their families and communities today."
One of the passengers, Sandy Williams, was a Spokane civil rights activist. Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh paid a tribute to Sandy on Twitter, writing, "This weekend, our community has tragically lost a leader, teacher, activist and powerful voice."
