Current:Home > Stocks3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -EquityExchange
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-14 17:15:40
The gospel music community is in mourning.
Three members of The Nelons, a Grammy-nominated family gospel group, died in a private plane crash in Wyoming that claimed the lives of all seven people aboard July 26.
Singers Kelly Nelon Clark, 64, husband Jason Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler, 35, were killed along with the latter's husband Nathan Kistler, 34, the Georgia-based band's assistant, Melodi Hodges, plus the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa Haynie, Gaither Management Group said in a statement.
"One of the best loved Gospel music families in America," the company said. "The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska."
Kelly and Jason's youngest daughter, fellow Nelons singer Autumn Nelon Streetman, 27, who had traveled separately to the cruise along with her husband Jamie Streetman. Following the crash, Autumn, who is in the second trimester of her pregnancy with the couple's first child, thanked fans for their support.
"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," she wrote on Instagram. "We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days."
The single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft had flown from Georgia to Nebraska City, Neb. the morning of July 26 and then took off again that afternoon, headed for another stop in Billings, Mont., according to flight records obtained by E! News.
WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred in a remote area north of Gillette, Wyo.
An NTSB spokesperson told British newspaper The Guardian that preliminary information indicated the accident took place following an “autopilot issue during flight."
Hours before the accident, the Nelons shared a travel vlog from a Nebraska airport on Instagram.
Autumn, the only surviving member of the Nelons, and her husband were notified of the plane crash upon their arrival at their destination, Gaither Management Group said in their statement.
"They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief," the company said in their statement, "pledging to support them in whatever needs arise."
The management group added that "Autumn and Jamie will return home for now 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."
Rex Nelon, Kelly's late father, founded the band in the late '70s. The group, whose lineup has changed over the decades, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Album for Let The Redeemed Say So in 1991. The Nelons were also known for songs such as "I Shall Not Be Moved" and "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown."
Autumn, the only surviving member of the Nelons, and her husband were notified of the plane crash upon their arrival at their destination, Gaither Management Group said in their statement.
"They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief," the company said in their statement, "pledging to support them in whatever needs arise."
The management group added that "Autumn and Jamie will return home for now 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."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (817)
Related
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Why Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent and Scheana Shay's Bond Over Motherhood Is as Good as Gold
- 4 people found dead at home in Idaho; neighbor arrested
- There's a second outbreak of Marburg virus in Africa. Climate change could be a factor
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Here are the U.S. cities where rent is rising the fastest
- Alibaba replaces CEO and chairman in surprise management overhaul
- India Set to Lower ‘Normal Rain’ Baseline as Droughts Bite
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Q&A: Plug-In Leader Discusses Ups and Downs of America’s E.V. Transformation
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- 29 Grossly Satisfying Cleaning Products With Amazing Results
- 6 teenagers injured in Milwaukee shooting following Juneteenth festivities
- Strep is bad right now — and an antibiotic shortage is making it worse
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Greenland’s Melting: Heat Waves Are Changing the Landscape Before Their Eyes
- Medications Can Raise Heat Stroke Risk. Are Doctors Prepared to Respond as the Planet Warms?
- Johnson & Johnson proposes paying $8.9 billion to settle talcum powder lawsuits
Recommendation
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Spotify deal unravels after just one series
Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls Texas judge's abortion pill ruling 'shocking'
A robot answers questions about health. Its creators just won a $2.25 million prize
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
In the Midst of the Coronavirus, California Weighs Diesel Regulations
Trump Weakens Endangered Species Protections, Making It Harder to Consider Effects of Climate Change
This Week in Clean Economy: Manufacturing Job Surge Seen for East Coast Offshore Wind