RismadarVoice Reporters
September 8, 2026
Four members of the same family have been confirmed dead after a small private aircraft crashed into waters off Andros Island in the Bahamas.
The victims’ relatives confirmed their deaths on Tuesday, following an extensive search for the aircraft and its occupants.
The five-seater PA-34 Piper aircraft, which had four people aboard, departed Great Harbour Cay at about 11:15 a.m. Monday, bound for Miami, before crashing approximately 15 miles off the coast of Andros Island.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force had earlier confirmed the crash and search operation.
In a statement, the family said relatives located the victims and transported them aboard their own boats.
The family added that it was working with the United States Coast Guard to return the bodies to their loved ones’ home with dignity.
The deceased were identified as 80-year-old Mario Lamar, who was piloting the aircraft; his 79-year-old wife, Lili Lamar; and their grandchildren, 28-year-old Sofia Sosa and 22-year-old Christian Sosa.
Silvia Larrieu, Lamar’s niece, described him as a highly experienced pilot who had an apartment in the Bahamas and had spent the weekend with members of his family.
According to Larrieu, the family had been travelling routinely, as Lamar had done throughout his years of flying.
She also said flight-tracking data from FlightAware showed that the aircraft entered the edge of a storm before abruptly changing direction.
Larrieu said the mother of the two grandchildren on board alerted authorities after she failed to hear from them following their expected arrival.
Earlier on Tuesday, the family had appealed for help, saying they were desperate and had not been aware of any active search for the missing relatives in the waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard subsequently joined the search alongside the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
However, the Coast Guard temporarily suspended its operation because of adverse weather conditions, according to Bahamian authorities.
It was not immediately clear when the search was fully resumed.
The family had appealed to boat owners, fishermen and other members of the boating community to assist in the search, provided they could do so safely.
Following confirmation of the deaths, the family expressed appreciation to those who participated in the search and supported them during the ordeal.
