Current:Home > Invest3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash -TradeGrid
3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
View
Date:2025-04-15 05:54:50
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! (898)
Related
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Derek Carr injury update: Dennis Allen says Saints QB has 'left side injury'
- Why did Jets fire Robert Saleh? Record, Aaron Rodgers drama potential reasons for ousting
- Movie armorer on Alec Baldwin’s film ‘Rust’ pleads guilty to gun charge in separate case
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Khloé Kardashian’s Must-Have Amazon Prime Day Picks You’ll Want to Shop Now With Picks as Low as $6.99
- An unusual hurricane season goes from ultra quiet to record busy and spawns Helene and Milton
- FEMA administrator continues pushback against false claims as Helene death toll hits 230
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- 'Completely out of line': Malachi Moore apologizes for outburst in Alabama-Vanderbilt game
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Is this the Krusty Krab? No, this is Wendy's: New Krabby Patty collab debuts this week
- Where is 'College GameDay' for Week 7? Location, what to know for ESPN show
- Lisa Marie Presley Shares Michael Jackson Was “Still a Virgin” at 35 in Posthumous Memoir
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Why did Jets fire Robert Saleh? Record, Aaron Rodgers drama potential reasons for ousting
- Soccer Star Jack Grealish Welcomes First Baby With Partner Sasha Attwood
- Intelligence officials say US adversaries are targeting congressional races with disinformation
Recommendation
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
American Water, largest water utility in US, dealing with cyberattack
Travis Kelce's New '90s Hair at Kansas City Chiefs Game Has the Internet Divided
Padres and Dodgers continue to exchange barbs and accusations ahead of NLDS Game 3
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Alaska Utilities Turn to Renewables as Costs Escalate for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation
Texas governor offers $10K reward for information on fugitive accused of shooting chief
Takeaways from AP’s investigation into fatal police incidents in one Midwestern city