Local News
Jen Sharp Among 12 Killed After Skydiving Plane Carrying 11 Jumpers and Pilot Crashes Near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri
BUTLER, Mo. — A devastating plane crash near Butler, Missouri, has left 12 people dead after a skydiving aircraft went down Sunday morning south of the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to authorities.
Emergency officials confirmed that the crash involved a PAC750 aircraft carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. All 12 occupants on board were killed when the aircraft crashed near Business 49 Highway in Bates County.
According to Bates County Emergency Management, the private aircraft departed from Butler Memorial Airport shortly before 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Preliminary information indicates the pilot turned the aircraft around shortly after takeoff for reasons that remain unknown. Moments later, the plane crashed in a field near Business 49 Highway in Butler.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the pilot to reverse course before the fatal crash.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Jen Sharp may have been aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash while reportedly conducting a coach evaluation jump.
Officials have not yet released a complete list of victims, and investigators have not formally confirmed the identities of all those who were on board.
Authorities emphasized that information regarding passengers remains preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues and next of kin notifications are completed.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that all 12 people aboard the aircraft died in the crash.
Emergency crews spent hours searching the surrounding area to determine whether any skydivers may have exited the aircraft before impact. Officials later confirmed that all occupants were accounted for.
Authorities closed all lanes of Business 49 Highway near the crash site as investigators secured the area and began documenting evidence.
Federal investigators from the NTSB and FAA are expected to lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the aircraft’s condition, flight path, weather conditions, pilot actions, and any potential mechanical issues.
As of Sunday evening, investigators had not released a preliminary cause for the crash.
The NTSB will conduct a comprehensive examination of the wreckage, maintenance records, pilot qualifications, and flight data as part of the investigation.
The tragedy marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in recent Missouri history and has sent shockwaves through the skydiving community and the Butler area.
Officials continue working to positively identify all victims and notify their families as the investigation remains ongoing.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.