Four relatives found dead after small plane disappears off Bahamas
All four family members aboard a Piper PA-34 that vanished near the Bahamas were recovered dead, authorities said, following a search coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard and family volunteers.
Four relatives on a small Piper PA-34 aircraft that departed Great Harbour Cay for Miami were found dead on Tuesday after their bodies were recovered by family members on boats working with the U.S. Coast Guard. The flight, carrying 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar, his 79-year-old wife Lili, and their grandchildren Sofi Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22, went missing on Monday morning. Bahamas police said contact was lost when the plane was about 13 miles west of Andros Island.
Family member Silvia Larrieu said the relatives retrieved the bodies and are cooperating with authorities to return them home. The family issued a statement expressing gratitude to those who assisted and requested privacy as they mourn.
The U.S. Coast Guard deployed a plane to aid the search after the Bahamas requested help on Monday afternoon. Initial search efforts were delayed by adverse weather, according to a Royal Bahamas Police Force release.