Hot Air Balloon Victim Texted Girlfriend 'Goodbye' Before Deadly Crash: 'He Knew He Was Going to Die'

Mar. 15, 2025

Chayton Wiescholek.Photo:Facebook

Facebook

Chayton Wiescholek, 28, and his girlfriend Kinsey Taylor were among the 13 people on the balloon that day, theEloy Police Departmentsaid. Taylor was one of eight people who took part in “a planned skydiving event” that occurred before “any issue with the balloon became apparent,“the department added Tuesday.

“Somebody else answered his phone and said, ‘This is not good, you need to be here now,’” he told the outlet.

“He knew he was going to die,” Chayton’s mom, Rhonda, toldFox affiliate WXMI.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana; Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California; and the pilot, Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Eloy, were also killed in the crash, according to police.

While it’s unclear what caused the crash, preliminary information from officials said there was an “unspecified problem” with the balloon’s envelope, WXMI reported.

Police are working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate.

AGoFundMe campaignhas been launched to support Chayton’s family.

“Never in a million years, did I think that our family would get this news. This accident was very clearly a devastation, and there’s no way our family and friends could have prepared our hearts for this tragedy,” the organizer wrote in a message.

“We want to continue to remember Chayton, as the life of the party, the adventure seeker, and solid voice of reason. For most, when we sit and reminisce on our fondest memories with Chayton we smile because that’s what he did, lit everything and everyone up with him,” the organizer added. “We truly appreciate you all as we come together to remember him and the impact he had on us all.”

As of Wednesday morning, nearly $10,000 has been raised.

source: people.com