Megan Hilty’s Family Members Die In Plane Crash Near Washington

“Smash” actress Megan Hilty’s sister, brother-in-law and 9-year-old niece died in a plane crash near Whidbey Island in Washington over the weekend.

Lauren Hilty, Ross Mickel and their daughter Remy, were onboard a seaplane with 7 other people including its pilot when it crashed Sunday afternoon in Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the names of the passengers in an official release Tuesday. The seven other passengers onboard the plane were Patricia Hicks, Sandra Williams, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, Joanne Mera, Gabrielle Hanna and pilot Jason Winter.

On Twitter, fans sent their condolences to Hilty and her family.

“Sending so much love to Megan Hilty and her family right now,” one person tweeted.

“Oh my heart hurts so much for Megan Hilty and her family oh my god,” another said.

The authorities said one body was recovered Sunday night but did not identify it in their release. Nine other bodies are missing and are presumed dead.

Mickel was a winemaker and owner of Ross Andrew Wineries in Woodinville, Washington. His family confirmed Lauren’s pregnancy through 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,” Mickel and Hilty’s families said in a statement published by the Associated Press Tuesday.

“Our collective grief is unimaginable. They were a bright and shining light in the lives of everyone who knew them.”

In an email, The Washington State Wine Commission told the outlet that Ross had “an incredible impact on the Washington wine community” and will be greatly missed.

The Northwest Seaplanes flight was returning to Renton Municipal airport in Seattle from Friday Harbor when it diverted slightly off course before completely crashing down in Mutiny Bay without sending a distress call.

Scott Giard, director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue for Pacific Northwest said the owner of the seaplane company, who took one of the flights on Sunday, tried to make radio contact with the pilot of the troubled plane but was unable to reach him.

“Shortly after that, he noticed on his flight tracker that the flight had stopped tracking and notified authorities,” Giard said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.