Megan Hilty opens up on 'painful' death of pregnant sister, brother-in-law and nephew
PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON: Megan Hilty has opened up on the tragedy that took the lives of her family members. The 'Smash' star's sister, Lauren, brother-in-law Ross and nephew Remy died in a seaplane crash in Washington's Puget Sound on Sunday, September 4. Hilty's sister was also pregnant at the time of the accident.
Speaking about the same, the actress shared a heart-wrenching post on Instagram. Hilty wrote, “On Sunday afternoon, a small float plane crashed into Puget Sound off the coast of Whidbey Island. My beloved sister Lauren, brother-in-law Ross and baby nephew Remy were on that plane,” adding, “to make this news even more devastating, my sister was eight months pregnant and we were expecting to welcome baby boy Luca into the world next month.”
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The 41-year-old actor wrote, "The last three days have been the worst of our lives. There are truly no words to appropriately convey the depth of our grief." Hilty also wrote about how many media outlets had written the gender of the baby wrong.
She said, "The last thing I wanted to do was acknowledge this painful family tragedy publicly, but it’s come to my attention that several news outlets have misgendered my sweet nephew and some haven’t even mentioned baby Luca." Hilty continued, “Lauren and Ross left behind my niece who we are all holding in our hearts. Thankfully, she was not on the plane and we ask that her name and personal information be kept private as she is a minor. It is important these details be corrected to respectfully honor everyone we’ve lost and the loved ones they’ve left behind.”
Hilty also thanked the support and love she received from everyone. She wrote, “it has been so comforting to know just how loved Lauren, Ross, Remy and Luca truly are.”
The unprecedented float plane crash in Washington has taken the lives of at least ten people who were identified by the Coast Guard. The National Transport Safety Board has launched a team of seven investigators to provide reasons for the crash.
At the time, the families issued a statement to NBC Seattle affiliate, KING. The statement read, "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.”
According to a report in Today, the other passengers identified aboard the plane were listed as Patricia Hicks, Sandra Williams, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, Joanne Mera, and Gabrielle Hanna.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation into the accident. A spokesperson told NBC affiliate, KING, that the probe could take 18 to 24 months.