Seven people were presumably killed after a jet plummeted into a lake in Rutherford County, Tennessee, on Saturday morning, authorities say.
No survivors have been found, and authorities have released the names of the deceased, which include William Lara, Gwen Lara, Jennifer Martin, David Martin, Jessica Walters, Jonathan Walters, and Brandon Hannah. All of the victims hailed from Brentwood, Tennessee.
The crash occurred at 11 a.m. when the small jet crashed into Percy Priest Lake. The jet left from Smyrna Airport and was headed toward Palm Beach International, according to authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, has taken over the investigation.
PILOT KILLED IN MILITARY CONTRACTOR AIRCRAFT CRASH NEAR AIR FORCE BASE IN LAS VEGAS VALLEY
Gwen Lara, a self-described Christian diet guru who authored Rise Above: God Can Set You Free from Your Weight Problems Forever, among other books, was on board with her husband, William. The remaining victims were reportedly part of the Remnant Fellowship, a religious group that combats “divorce, depression, obesity and out-of-control children,” according to text messages obtained by NC5 reporter Phil Williams.
BREAKING: Internal Remnant Fellowship message says Gwen Shamblin Lara, her husband Joe Lara and five other Remnant leaders were on board the aircraft. This is from Gwen Shamblin Lara’s daughter. pic.twitter.com/yi1U9O71I8
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) May 29, 2021
Human remains were found in the lake on Sunday afternoon, and boaters have been asked to avoid the area. The search continues in an approximately 1-mile-wide radius.
The NTSB’s lead investigator arrived at the scene, and operations are set to resume again on Monday.
On Saturday, authorities put a temporary restriction on private flights in the area. Dive teams were also dispatched to find debris and survivors, though it is now believed that all are deceased.
Multiple agencies on scene of a small jet that crashed into Percy Priest Lake around 11:00 a.m. FAA & NTSB en route.
Dive Teams determining extent of crash site, examining the debris field, & conducting search & rescue.
Boaters and private aircraft urged to stay clear of area. pic.twitter.com/T5DjH3ozBr
— Rutherford County Fire Rescue (@RCFireRescue) May 29, 2021
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The cause of the crash has not yet been revealed.
The FAA did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
