Nelons Tragedy: Haunting Final Video Before Plane Crash That Killed 3 Of Gospel Family Band's 4 Members
The Nelons shared a video documenting their trip just hours before three of the gospel family group's four members were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming that took the lives of all seven people on board.
Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Nelon Clark and daughter Amber Nelon Kistler died after their plane crashed near Recluse, Wyoming, Friday as they were en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
The pilot Larry Haynie and the rest of the plane's passengers -- Amber's husband Nathan Kistler, the band's assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot's wife Melissa Haynie -- were also killed in the accident.
Autumn Nelon Streetman, The Nelons' fourth and only surviving member, as well as the Grammy-nominated band's management company announced the heartbreaking news via a joint statement on social media.
Just hours before the crash, Jason filmed and posted on Instagram a vlog showing him, the pilot and the other passengers standing in front of their private jet.
"There's our wonderful pilot right there, that's Larry," Jason said in the video, turning the camera toward Larry and then Melissa. "And this is the co-pilot who handles everything."
Jason concluded the video with a haunting promise, saying: "We'll check in later."
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Autumn and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were traveling separately from the rest of the family at the time of the crash.
The couple learned of the tragic accident after arriving in Seattle, Washington.
"Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason's parents, Dan and Linda Clark," Autumn said in a statement. "We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days."
In its statement, Gaither Management Group said Autumn and her husband were now headed "home to Kelly's brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead."
"Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers," the gospel group's management company added.
The plane crash is currently being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, according to the company.
According to The Sun, The Nelons were set to perform on the Gaither Homecoming Cruise, a seven-day cruise from Seattle to Alaska.
Singer-songwriter Mark Lowry, another scheduled performer for the cruise, grieved the untimely deaths of his "dear friends" in a statement to the outlet.
"We have created so many precious memories over the decades that I will hold dear, so many good times and so much laughter," Lowry said. "Our only comfort is knowing that they have seen our Savior face to face, and we'll join in singing with them again one day soon."
