Smash star Meghan Hilty’s family members tragically died in a horrific plane crash near Seattle on Sunday.
Her sister Lauren Hitly, who was pregnant with a baby boy, her partner Ross Mickel, and their child Remy were among the ten people who were killed in the incident in Mutiny Bay.
Also onboard were pilot Jason Winters, activist Sandy Williams, Gabrielle Hanna, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, Patricia Hicks, and Joanna Mera.
According to ABC News, it is still unknown what caused the fatal crash and only one body has been found.
The company said that it is now working with the NTSB, FAA, and Coast Guard to determine what caused the crash.
After searching 2,100 nautical miles, the US Coast Guard has already called off the search for the missing bodies.
A beachgoer witnessed the moment the plane plunged into the water and caused a ‘big splash.’
Locals started climbing into their boasts to help until the US Coast Guard arrived, King 5 reported.
“It was probably 40 minutes (before the Coast Guard arrived),” a witness said. “They instructed us what to do. Look for survivors and grab what we could, essentially, look for survivors.”
However, ‘everything had already sank’ by the time they reached the aircraft.
“It was too late,” he said.
The beachgoers who tried to help out did not find much, besides a few shoes, floating pieces of the plane, a logbook, and the body of Sandra Williams.
Mickel owned a wine business, Rose Andrew Wineries, which has been his family started in 1999.
His grieving family said in a statement: “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. Although their time with us was too short, we will carry their legacy forward.”
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