Smash actress Megan Hilty’s family died in Seattle plane crash
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Smash actress Megan Hilty’s family died in a Seattle plane crash on Sunday.
Hilty’s sister Lauren Hilty, her significant other Ross Mickel, and their child Remy were among the 10 who died in a plane crash on Puget Sound in Mutiny Bay.
Lauren was reportedly pregnant with a baby boy, who was going to be named Luca, according to TMZ.
It is currently unknown what caused the crash and only one body has been recovered. No distress call was initiated and the electronic locating transmitter was not working, according to ABC News.
The company who owned the plane Northwest Seaplanes said it is working with the FAA, NTSB and Coast Guard to determine the cause.
The US Coast Guard has called off the search for the missing bodies after searching 2,100 nautical miles.
Also onboard was civil rights activist Sandy Williams, Joanne Mera, pilot Jason Winters, Patricia Hicks, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, and Gabrielle Hanna. The Coast Guard confirmed that Williams’ body was the only one that was found during their search in the water.
A beachgoer recalled seeing the plane ‘going nose-first’ into the water and causing a ‘big splash’ before an ‘explosion sound’ went off.
Megan Hilty’s sister Lauren Hilty (pictured in back row with Megan), her significant other Ross Mickel, and their child Remy were among the 10 who died in a plane crash on Puget Sound
Mickel (pictured with his daughter Lyla) died. He owned a winery business
The Coast Guard has called off the search for the nine missing bodies. Sandra Williams’ body was the only one that was found during their search in the water
A plane (pictured) carrying 10 people crashed on Puget Sound near Whidbey Island – near Seattle – on Sunday, killing everyone onboard
Locals began climbing into their boats to assist the wreckage on Sunday until the US Coast Guard showed up, according to King 5.
‘It was probably 40 minutes [before they arrived], a beachgoer told King 5. ‘They instructed us what to do [while they came]. Look for survivors and grab what we could, essentially, look for survivors.’
By the time the unidentified beachgoers arrived on scene, which was about a mile out, ‘everything had already sank.’
Only one body has been recovered and the cause of the crash is currently unknown
Among the dead are Smash actress Megan Hilty’s sister Lauren Hilty, her significant other Ross Mickel, and their child Remy. Lauren was reportedly pregnant
‘It was too late,’ he told the outlet.
The beachgoers assisting the wreckage didn’t find much, besides a logbook, a few shoes, floating pieces of the plane, and the body Sandra Williams.
‘There was nothing intact,’ the man told King 5.
Mickel owned a wine business called Ross Andrew Wineries, which has been in operation since 1999.
His family, who spoke to King 5, 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.
Hilty (pictured middle) has not publicly addressed her sister’s passing
Lauren was reportedly pregnant with her second child Luca when the plane crashed
Mickel’s family said they are ‘deeply saddened and beyond devastated at the loss’ and that their ‘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.’
The Washington State Wine Commission also released a statement, writing: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news about Ross Mickel and his family. Ross had an incredible impact on the Washington wine community and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones as they navigate this extraordinarily difficult time.’
Hilty has not publicly addressed her sister’s passing.
Hilty famously appeared in Smash and made a name for herself on Broadway, appearing at Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical, and her Tony Award–nominated role as Brooke Ashton in Noises Off.
Hilty (right) appeared on the show Smash with co-star Katharine McPhee (left) and has also made a name for herself on Broadway, playing roles like Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked
Hilty has yet to comment publicly about her sister’s tragic passing