Current:Home > News3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -Core Financial Strategies
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-19 05:01:02
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! (2349)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- 'Only by God's mercy that I survived': Hajj became a death march for 1,300 in extreme heat
- Here’s a look at Trump’s VP shortlist and why each contender may get picked or fall short
- Angel Reese leads Sky to 88-87 win over Fever despite Caitlin Clark’s franchise-record 13 assists
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- U.S. to resume avocado inspections in Mexican state that were halted by violence
- Cybertruck sales are picking up: Could the polarizing EV push Tesla's market share higher?
- NASA again delays Boeing Starliner's return to Earth, new target date still undetermined
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- 'An unfair fight': Surgeon general says parents need help with kids' social media use
Ranking
- Small twin
- White House perplexed by Netanyahu claims that U.S. is withholding weapons
- Six protesters run onto 18th green and spray powder, delaying finish of Travelers Championship
- Horoscopes Today, June 23, 2024
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Bitter melon supplements are becoming more popular, but read this before you take them
- Yes, carrots are good for you. But there is one downside of overconsumption.
- U.S. Olympic track trials results: Sha'Carri Richardson wins women's 100 final to reach Paris
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
New York’s Chronically Underfunded Parks Department Is Losing the Fight Against Invasive Species, Disrepair and Climate Change
Travis Kelce's Mom Donna Shares Video of Him Carrying Taylor Swift Onstage at Eras Tour Show
Joe Burrow walks runway at Vogue World Paris, gets out of his comfort zone
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
2 men convicted in 2021 armed standoff on Massachusetts highway
Michigan’s top court to consider whether to further limit no-parole life sentences
As homeowner's insurance prices climb, more Americans ask: Is it worth it?
Like
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Christian Pulisic scores early goal in USMNT's Copa America opener vs. Bolivia
- New York’s Chronically Underfunded Parks Department Is Losing the Fight Against Invasive Species, Disrepair and Climate Change