Civil Rights Activist Among 10 Victims Aboard Seaplane That Crashed in Waters Near Seattle: 'Devastated'

Mar. 15, 2025

Nine people remain unaccounted and presumed dead after the body of a deceased female was recovered from the water in Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island, according to theU.S. Coast Guardand theSeattle Times.

“The deceased individual recovered from the water on Sunday night was transferred to the Island County coroner and has not yet been positively identified,” according to the agency, which did not officially confirm any other fatalities.

“The Coast Guard offers its deepest sympathies to those who lost a loved one in this tragedy,” Cmdr. Xochitl Castañeda, the search and rescue mission coordinator for the incident, said in a statement.

Scene near float plane crash Sunday in Puget Sound.King 5

The exact cause that led to the crash of the single-engine propeller de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter is currently unknown, said theNational Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating.

The Coast Guard was alerted that the plane, which had departed from Friday Harbor in San Juan Island, Washington, and was en route to Renton Municipal Airport, had crashed at 3:11 p.m.

Northwest Seaplanes did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Ross Mickel, a winemaker and the owner ofRoss Andrew Wineries, was traveling with his wife Lauren, the sister ofSmashactressMegan Hilty, and their son Remy.

“Ross had an incredible impact on the Washington wine community and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with their loved ones as they navigate this extraordinarily difficult time,” the statement read.

“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,” they wrote. “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who also lost loved ones on-board.”

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Fellow passenger Sandy Williams was a civil rights activist in Spokane.

“This weekend, our community has tragically lost a leader, teacher, activist and powerful voice,” Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh wrote in a social mediatribute. “I am devastated to learn of Sandy Williams' passing and we@GonzagaUextend our condolences to her family, many friends and colleagues. Sandy: Rest In Peace.”

Williams' brother, who confirmed her death toThe Seattle Times, said she was on her way home from a vacation, and that her family had plans to celebrate her 61st birthday later this month.

“This is a loss to the whole community, not just the Black community,” Spokane City Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson, who is also president of the Carl Maxey Center board, which Williams served as executive director of, told the newspaper.

“She was the best mom, wife, sister and friend,” they said. “Our hearts are shattered, not just for our family’s loss, but for the loss we know other families are feeling right now.”

source: people.com