Local News
Victims killed in Mesa plane crash identified
A tragic plane crash in Mesa, Arizona, on Tuesday evening claimed the lives of five people, including a 12-year-old boy, as a private plane bound for Provo, Utah, crashed shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field Airport.
The group had been traveling to attend a Brigham Young University basketball game in Provo.
Video captured at the crash site shows the plane engulfed in flames on a nearby road after veering off the runway.
Investigators report that the aircraft, carrying five people, lost control moments after takeoff.
Tragically, the plane collided with a vehicle, killing the driver instantly, along with four passengers aboard the aircraft.
An 18-year-old male on the plane survived the crash and is currently hospitalized in stable condition.
On Wednesday, Mesa Police released the identities of the four passengers who perished on the plane:
- Spencer Lindahl, 43
- Rustin Randall, 48
- Drew Kimball, 44
- Graham Kimball, 12
The name of the individual killed in the car has not yet been disclosed. The plane was owned by Spencer Lindahl, who was originally from Utah, as confirmed by his family.
Lindahl’s son, who also survived the crash, is now in stable condition. Lindahl leaves behind his wife and four children, and his family is mourning what they describe as a devastating loss of a loving husband and dedicated father.
Lindahl, who co-owned a successful property management business in Arizona, was known for his strong family values and commitment to his community.
His family shared that Lindahl’s 20-year-old daughter, who had just returned from an 18-month mission trip to Brazil for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrived back in Arizona on Wednesday morning, missing the chance to reunite with her father by less than a day.
Lindahl’s business partner, Rustin Randall, who was also killed in the crash, leaves behind his wife and four children.
The Lindahl and Randall families, as well as the Kimball family, are in deep mourning and have asked for privacy and support during this difficult time.
St. Louis, MO — A family is mourning the loss of 6-year-old Lailah Austin, who tragically drowned while attending a party at the Element St. Louis Midtown Hotel on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to the hotel, located in the 3700 block of Forest Park Avenue, around 8:30 p.m. after receiving a report from hotel staff who discovered the child unresponsive in the indoor pool.
Emergency responders rushed Lailah to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in critical, unstable condition.
Despite medical efforts, Lailah succumbed to her injuries and passed away on Monday, January 20.
Her family is heartbroken, especially as they were preparing to celebrate her upcoming 7th birthday this Sunday.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has classified the incident as an “accidental injury” and has assigned its Child Abuse Unit to lead the investigation. Authorities have not released additional details at this time.
The tragic incident remains under investigation, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Lailah’s family, friends, and the community are rallying together to remember the young girl and support her loved ones during this difficult time.