Current:Home > reviews3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -WealthRoots Academy
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-12 02:12:47
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! (3)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce conspiracy theories abound on political right with K.C. Chiefs in Super Bowl
- The Biggest Sales Happening This Weekend From Nordstrom Rack, Vince Camuto, Coach Outlet & So Much More
- Will the Moody Landfill Fire Ever Be Extinguished? The EPA Isn’t So Sure.
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Preliminary injunction hearing set for Feb. 13 in case targeting NCAA ban on recruiting inducements
- Lincoln University and the murky world of 'countable opponents' in college sports
- Target pulls Black History Month product after video points out misidentified icons
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum: What to know, how to watch NASCAR exhibition race
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- What Paul Nassif Really Thinks of Botched Costar Terry Dubrow Using Ozempic
- Subway footlong cookies: Loved so much by customers that chain can't keep up with demand
- Wendy Williams Bombshell Documentary Details Her Struggle With Alcohol, Money & More
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Civil rights activist, legendary radio host Joe Madison passes away at 74
- The Daily Money: All about tax brackets
- Desmond Gumbs juggles boxing deals, Suge Knight project while coaching Lincoln football
Recommendation
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Hasty Pudding honors ‘Saltburn’ actor Barry Keoghan as its Man of the Year
Woman returns Costco couch after 2 years, tests limits of return policy: I just didn't like it anymore
Why Taylor Swift’s globe-trotting in private jets is getting scrutinized
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
‘No stone unturned:' Albuquerque police chief vows thorough investigation of corruption allegations
What Jersey Shore's Snooki Would Change About the Infamous Letter to Sammi Today
Carl Weathers, Rocky and The Mandalorian Star, Dead at 76