Megan Hilty wrote a heartbreaking post on Instagram on Wednesday night as she paid tribute to her sister, brother-in-law and young son, all of whom died in a plane crash near Seattle on Sunday.
The Smash actress broke her silence after her sister Lauren, husband Ross Mickel and their child Remy were among the 10 people killed in the Puget Sound crash in Mutiny Bay.
The 41-year-old star shared an emotional message on Instagram along with a photo of the family, noting that “the last three days have been the worst of our lives.”
“A small seaplane crashed into Puget Sound off the coast of Whidbey Island on Sunday afternoon. My beloved sister Lauren, my brother-in-law Ross and my little nephew Remy were on that plane. 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,” Hilty explained.
“The last three days have been the worst of our lives. There really are no words to adequately express the depth of our sorrow.’
Smash actress Megan Hilty has broken her silence after her sister Lauren, brother-in-law Ross Mickel and child Remy were among the 10 people killed in a plane crash at Puget Sound in Mutiny Bay on Sunday, posting a heartbreaking post written Wednesday night
Hilty said she has no plans to address the losses publicly but felt she had to after her “cute nephew” was “misgendered” in the news, while “some didn’t even mention baby Luca.” .
Hilty revealed how her niece, who she did not name, was not traveling with her parents and brother but is now being cared for by other family members.
“Luckily she wasn’t on the plane and we ask that her name and personal information remain confidential as she is a minor,” Hilty said.
“It is important that these details are corrected to respectfully honor everyone we’ve lost and the loved ones they left behind,” the Broadway star added.
“The outpouring of love and support has meant so much to everyone in our family. It was so comforting to know how loved Lauren, Ross, Remy and Luca really are.
Megan Hilty’s sister Lauren Hilty (pictured in the back row with Megan), her partner Ross Mickel and their child Remy were among 10 killed in a plane crash in Puget Sound
It is currently unknown what caused the crash and only one body was recovered. According to ABC News, no 911 call was made and the electronic tracking beacon was not working.
Northwest Seaplanes, which owns the plane, said it is working with the FAA, NTSB and Coast Guard to determine the cause.
The US Coast Guard has searched 2,100 nautical miles searching for the missing persons.
Also on board were civil rights activist Sandy Williams, Joanne Mera, pilot Jason Winters, Patricia Hicks, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig and Gabrielle Hanna.
The Coast Guard confirmed that William’s body was the only one found in the water during their search.
A beachgoer recalled how the plane went into the water “nose first” and caused a “big impact” before making an “explosion noise”.
Mickel (pictured with his daughter Lyla) died. He owned a winery
The Coast Guard has stopped searching for the nine missing persons. Sandra Williams’ body was the only one found in the water during her search
Ross Mickel and Lauren Hilty and their child were among 10 dead in a seaplane crash in Mutiny Bay, near Seattle
A plane (pictured) with 10 people on board crashed on Puget Sound near Whidbey Island – near Seattle – on Sunday, killing everyone on board
Locals began boarding their boats to help the wreck on Sunday, according to King 5, until the U.S. Coast Guard showed up.
“It was probably 40 minutes [before they arrived]said a beachgoer to King 5. “They told us what to do [while they came]. Search for survivors and grab what we could essentially search for survivors.’
When the unidentified beachgoers arrived at the scene, which was about a mile away, “everything had already sunk.”
Only one body was recovered and the cause of the crash is currently unknown
Among the dead are Smash actress Megan Hilty’s sister Lauren Hilty, her partner Ross Mickel and their child Remy. Lauren was reportedly pregnant
“It was too late,” he told the outlet.
The beachgoers who helped with the wreck found little but a logbook, a pair of shoes, floating parts of the plane and the body of Sandra Williams.
“There was nothing intact,” the man told King 5.
Mickel owned a wine shop 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 by the loss of our beloved Ross Mickel, Lauren Hilty, Remy and their unborn boy Luca. Our collective grief is unimaginable.
Hilty (pictured center) spoke publicly about her sister’s death on Wednesday night
Lauren was pregnant with her second child, who would be named Luca, when the plane crashed
Mickel’s family said they were “deeply saddened and beyond devastated by the loss” and that their “grief was unimaginable”.
“You were a bright and shining light in the lives of everyone who knew you. Although her time with us was too short, we will carry on her legacy.”
The Washington State Wine Commission also released a statement, writing, “We are deeply saddened by the news of Ross Mickel and his family. Ross had an incredible impact on the Washington wine community and we will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with his loved ones as they navigate this extraordinarily difficult time.”
Hilty famously appeared in Smash and made her mark on Broadway for her roles in 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 her name on Broadway playing roles such as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked
