Current:Home > Scams3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -AssetBase
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:25:01
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! (5948)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Michigan willing to spend millions to restore Flint properties ripped up by pipe replacement
- Baby formula maker recalls batch after failing to register formula with FDA
- The art of drag is a target. With Pride Month near, performers are organizing to fight back
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Quality early education can be expensive or hard to find. Home visits bring it to more families
- Joe Jonas Seemingly References Sophie Turner Breakup on New Song
- The Beatles' 'Love' closes July 6. Why Ringo Starr says 'it’s worth seeing' while you can
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Johns Hopkins team assessing nation’s bridges after deadly Baltimore collapse
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Kelly Hyland Receives Support From Dance Moms Stars After Sharing Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- From electric vehicles to deciding what to cook for dinner, John Podesta faces climate challenges
- Johns Hopkins team assessing nation’s bridges after deadly Baltimore collapse
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Journalism groups sue Wisconsin Justice Department for names of every police officer in state
- Lionel Messi scores goal in return to lineup, but Inter Miami falls 3-1 to Atlanta United
- Michigan State Police trooper charged with murder, accused of hitting man with car during chase
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Bachelor Nation’s Ryan Sutter Shares Message on “Right Path” After Trista Sutter’s Absence
Remains found at base of Flagstaff’s Mount Elden identified as man reported missing in 2017
Dwyane Wade to debut as Team USA men's basketball analyst for NBC at 2024 Paris Olympics
Trump's 'stop
Tennessee governor OKs penalizing adults who help minors receive abortions, gender-affirming care
Job scams are among the riskiest. Here's how to avoid them
Recent National Spelling Bee stars explain how the 'Bee' changed their lives