NTSB reveals cause of plane crash that killed members of The Nelons
Just over two years after a plane crash killed seven people, including members of southern gospel group The Nelons , officials have announced that poor weather and an autopilot failure caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.
The crash happened in northeastern Wyoming on July 26, 2024, killing seven people, according to a report the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released on Aug. 26.
An updraft of air caused by storm activity, clouds and low visibility led the plane's autopilot mode to disconnect. The pilot was distracted by the autopilot disconnecting and lost control of the plane, the agency said in its report.
The plane had set out on a cross-country flight to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska, an event for label Gaither Music, which the group had worked with previously.
The plane was set to stop and refuel in Montana, the report says.
Gaither Music and the Nelon family, in a statement after the crash, confirmed that among those killed were:
-
Amber Nelon Kistler and her husband, Nathan Kistler
-
Jason Clark and his wife, Kelly Nelon Clark
-
Melodi Hodges, the Nelons' assistant and friend
-
Pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa Haynie
"One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash," the music label said. "The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident."
Here's what we know about the crash that took their lives.
Actor Ben Jones
, who played scruffy mechanic "Crazy" Cooter Davenport in nearly every episode of "Dukes of Hazzard" before running for Congress in Georgia, died at 84 at home in Virginia, his wife Alma Viator confirmed in an Aug. 9 Facebook
post.
"I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack," she wrote. "He loved and was loved by so many."
Actress Tedde Moore
, best known for her role in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story," died Aug. 5 at the age of 79, according to a post shared on Moore's Facebook page. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Following a string of appearances in TV and film, Moore was cast in the retro holiday comedy, which starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker, a headstrong boy who attempts to convince the adults in his life that a BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift. Moore portrayed Parker's pragmatic schoolteacher Miss Shields.
TikTok creator Sydney Towle , who documented her battle with a rare form of bile duct cancer for more than 1 million followers, died Aug. 5, her family announced the following day. She was 26.
Towle was diagnosed nearly three years earlier with stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma after doctors discovered a solid mass initially suspected to be a hernia. She underwent surgeries, chemotherapy and clinical trials while sharing the highs and lows of her cancer journey online.
Jimmy Cricket
, the Irish comedian best known for his sketch comedy series "And There's More," died on Aug. 3 at age 80, Cricket's family confirmed in a statement on his Facebook page. The comedian died following a "short illness."
"He also just loved people, and he absolutely loved being a stand-up comedian. What a life he lived," Cricket's family said. "Forever our clown, he was cracking jokes to the wonderful NHS [National Health Service] staff and to us all, right until the end. His courage, dignity and positivity through all he endured was inspirational. A force for joy, we are just all very sad that the world is a far less sillier place today."
Hardcore singer Lou Koller , longtime frontman of New York band Sick of It All, died after a battle with cancer, the band announced July 24. He was 59.
Koller revealed in June 2024 that he had esophageal cancer that extended into his stomach. After chemotherapy, he was briefly declared cancer-free in May 2025 before the disease returned.
Vincent Pastore
, known for portraying Salvatore Bonpensiero on " The Sopranos
," has died. He was 80.
The actor was found dead at his home in the Bronx, New York, where he is from, on Aug. 1, his manager of over 30 years, Robert Attermann, confirmed to USA TODAY.
"Vinny was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. He treated everyone with warmth and respect, never turning down a fan who wanted a photograph or an autograph. He genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued," Attermann said in a statement.
Glen Hansard, the Irish musician best known for his leading role in the 2007 movie "Once," died in a motorcycle crash
on July 29. He was 56.
"With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning," a post on his Instagram account
read. "We are still dealing with the shock of it all, so we kindly ask that the privacy of Glen's family, colleagues and friends is respected at this difficult time." Hansard was the lead singer of The Frames and starred as Guy in the acclaimed musical drama "Once." He won the Oscar for best original song for "Falling Slowly," a track from the film.
Kavinsky, the French musician born Vincent Belorgey, was found dead
in his home in France on July 28, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.
"An inquiry into the cause of death has been opened to determine the circumstances of the death, as first responders found no suspicious elements at the scene," the prosecutor said. Kavinsky is best known for his song "Nightcall," which accompanied the opening credits for the 2011 movie "Drive" starring Ryan Gosling.
Grammy-winning British producer William Orbit , best known for helping shape the electronic sound of Madonna's acclaimed 1998 album "Ray of Light," died July 23 at his home, his family and friends announced Aug. 7. He was 69. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Orbit earned three Grammys and seven nominations during a career that included collaborations with All Saints, Blur, U2, Britney Spears, Pink and Robbie Williams. His work with Madonna included "Frozen," "Ray of Light" and "Beautiful Stranger."
Director Chuck Russell, best known for working with Jim Carrey on the '90s classic "The Mask," died on July 22, Russell's family confirmed to TMZ
. A cause of death was not disclosed.
The 1994 film, a dark comedy starring Carrey as bank-clerk-turned-superhero Stanley Ipkiss, grossed over $100 million at the box office and earned an Academy Award nomination for best visual effects. Russell's other credits include "The Scorpion King," "Eraser" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors."
Kaylee Hottle
, the young actress who starred in " Godzilla vs. Kong
" and " Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
," died July 21 at age 18.
Hottle was one of two passengers in a car crash in Maryland around 2 a.m. ET, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office confirmed. After the crash, Hottle was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Hottle, who was deaf, starred in the 2021 and 2024 "Godzilla vs. Kong" films as Jia, an orphaned girl who communicates with Kong via sign language.
Jennifer Finch , 59, head-thrashing bassist of the all-women rock group L7, died on July 18, days after announcing she'd been diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer . Her bandmates shared the news on Instagram, describing her as "our beloved bandmate, friend and fellow troublemaker." The grunge and alternative-rock musician also worked in bands including The Shocker and Other Star People, and was widely regarded as an influence on riot grrl artists.
(Rich Polk, Getty Images for The Art of Elysium)Singer Freddy Cannon, a star of the early rock 'n' roll era, died on July 17 at the age of 89, the singer's longtime friend and radio director Tom Cuddy confirmed to Billboard
. Cannon died in a California hospice facility following a brief bout with cancer.
Cannon, nicknamed "Boom Boom" for his big bass drum sound, is best known for his hits "Tallahassee Lassie" (1959), "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (1959) and "Palisades Park" (1962). All three songs charted within the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100
, including the No. 3 singles "Way Down Yonder" and "Palisades Park."
Brenda Fricker
, the Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in "My Left Foot" and "Home Alone 2," died on July 16 following a "period of ill health," Fricker's agent, Philip Belfield, confirmed to USA TODAY.
The Irish actress found international acclaim with her role in "My Left Foot," a 1989 biopic on Irish writer and artist Christy Brown. Fricker's performance as Brown's mother, Bridget Fagan Brown, earned her an Academy Award for best actress in a supporting role. "We will never see [someone] like her again, and the world is lesser for the lack of her," Belfield said in a statement.
Mary Jo "M.J." Shannon
, the mother of Kris Jenner and grandmother to the Kardashian-Jenner family, died July 16 at 91.
Jenner announced her mother's death in an emotional Instagram tribute
, calling her "the heart of our family" and crediting her with teaching the family's values of love, resilience and togetherness.
A familiar face to fans, Shannon made recurring appearances on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and later "The Kardashians," most recently in Season 6. In recent episodes, Jenner spoke about her mother's declining health following the death of Jenner's sister, Karen Houghton.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Veteran actor Hal Williams
, best known for playing Officer "Smitty" Smith on "Sanford and Son" and Lester Jenkins on "227," died July 15 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 91.
Williams built a television career spanning more than five decades, earning credits on "The Waltons," "Roots: The Next Generations," "Private Benjamin," "The Sinbad Show," "Parks and Recreation" and "Matlock." He also appeared in films including "The Rookie," "Guess Who" and "Flight."
Williams helped redefine Black representation on television while remaining a familiar face across generations of sitcoms and dramas.
Sam Neill
, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the " Jurassic Park
" franchise, died at 78. The actor's "sudden and unexpected" death was announced
on his Instagram account on July 13.
The statement shared that "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life." Neill had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, in 2022 and shared in April 2026 that he was cancer-free
.
Neill exploded into superstardom as gruff but undeniably loveable paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park" and returned for "Jurassic Park III" (2001) as well as "Jurassic World Dominion" (2022).
Broadway actor and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" star Josh Grisetti
died July 10 at age 44.
California authorities later confirmed he died by suicide.
A versatile stage and screen performer, Grisetti appeared in eight episodes of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" as Ralph, a comedy writer. His Broadway credits included "It Shoulda Been You," "Peter and the Starcatcher" and the original production of "Something Rotten!", with additional roles in "Camelot," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," "Rent," "Beauty and the Beast," "Matilda" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."
He also led the musical theater BFA program at California State University, Fullerton, and authored the memoir "God in My Head."
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" singer Bonnie Tyler died
"unexpectedly" at a hospital in Portugal "as a result of the illness that she was being treated for," her manager, Matt Davis, said in a statement to USA TODAY
on July 9.
Tyler's death came two months after she was hospitalized for emergency intestinal surgery and spent a month in an induced coma. In June, a spokesperson said she was "no longer in a coma" but was still "very unwell and in intensive care."
Born in Wales in 1951, Tyler, a three-time Grammy nominee, was known for hit songs like "It's a Heartache" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart." She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to music in 2023.
"Daredevil" star Wai Ching Ho
, who played Madame Gao in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has died at 82, her representative told USA TODAY on July 12.
Her acting career started with an appearance in the 1990 Robin Williams film "Cadillac Man," according to IMDB. Ho's debut as Madame Gao, cofounder of the ancient criminal organization the Hand, came in Season 1 of Netflix's "Daredevil," which was released in 2015. She returned for a one-episode arc in Season 2 and reprised her role in the first season of the Netflix series "Iron Fist" (2017) as well as "The Defenders."
Randolph Mantooth
, best known for playing firefighter-paramedic Johnny Gage on the hit 1970s NBC series "Emergency!," has died at 80, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
His brother, Donald Mantooth, confirmed that the actor died Thursday, July 9, at a hospice facility in Ventura, California, after battling cancer for years. Mantooth rose to fame in 1972 when he landed his breakout role on "Emergency!," which ran for six seasons and helped popularize paramedics on television.
He later appeared in dozens of TV shows and became a longtime advocate for firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Mantooth remained close to his castmates, with Kevin Tighe serving as best man at his second wedding in 2002.
Actress Louise Lasser
, best known for her comedic roles and film collaborations with ex-husband Woody Allen, died on July 6 at the age of 87, Lasser's friend Susan Charlotte told The New York Times
and The Hollywood Reporter
. The actress died of natural causes at her home in New York City.
Lasser played the title role in Norman Lear's 1970s sitcom "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," a satirical series parodying soap operas that aired all five weeknights and ran for two seasons. She married Allen in 1966, and the couple split in 1970. The pair costarred in the 1969 comedy-crime film "Take the Money and Run," followed by "Bananas" in 1971 and "Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask" in 1972.
" Party Rock Anthem
" singer Lauren Bennett died
in England on May 29 at the age of 36, according to Kent and Medway Coroner records obtained by USA TODAY.
Her former band, G.R.L., formally announced the news in a heartfelt statement posted to their official Instagram
page Monday, July 6, which said, "Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us."
"We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us. Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved," wrote Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula van Oppen.
(Brett Hemmings) Victor Willis
, lead singer of the disco group Village People, died on June 30 following a "short but aggressive illness," the band announced on Facebook. He was 74.
Willis, who was known for performing in costume as a Navy admiral or police officer, cowrote some of the group's most successful songs, including "Y.M.C.A.," "In the Navy" and "Macho Man."
Actress Penelope Keith
, best known for her roles on the British sitcoms "The Good Life" and "To the Manor Born," has died, Keith's agent, Nicola Richardson, confirmed to USA TODAY on June 29. She was 86. Keith died at her longtime home in Surrey, England, following a battle with cancer, the actress's family told the BBC
.
Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter on "The Good Life," a role that earned her a BAFTA award for best light entertainment performance. On "To the Manor Born," she portrayed ousted estate owner Audrey fforbes-Hamilton opposite Peter Bowles.
"Penelope was an exceptionally talented, multi-award-winning actress whose distinguished career spanned both stage and television," Richardson said. "More importantly, she was a much loved client and dear friend, and she will be greatly missed."
David Clayton-Thomas
, best known as the lead singer of the Grammy-winning jazz rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears, died on June 24 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, according to a statement released by the singer's representatives. He was 84. A cause of death was not disclosed.
"One of the most recognizable voices of his generation, Clayton-Thomas sang the hell out of every song he touched, soaring and sunny one moment, a deep and somber shade of blue the next," the statement read. "Over a career that carried him from the streets of Toronto to the stage at Woodstock and beyond, he sold more than 40 million records and helped shape the very sound of jazz-rock."
Influential record mogul Clive Davis "passed away peacefully from age-related illness" at his Manhattan home on June 22 "surrounded by his family and loved ones," his representative confirmed to USA TODAY
. He was 94.
Davis, former head of Columbia Records, was the mastermind behind the careers of dozens of hit artists, including Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Earth, Wind & Fire and Alicia Keys. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Prior to his death, Davis had been hospitalized for an upper respiratory infection.
"Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive's greatest pride and deepest joy," his family said in a statement. "Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives."
(Allen Berezovsky, Getty Images)Veteran actor Michael Byrne , best known for roles in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1," has died at 82. The London-born performer died June 20, according to The Guardian . Across a six-decade career, Byrne also appeared in blockbuster films including "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Braveheart."
(Wolf Marloh) "Cheers"
co-creator James Burrows
died at the age of 85 surrounded by his family, they confirmed in a statement on Friday, June 19. His family remembered him for being "one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history."
Burrows is known for working on some of the most famous sitcoms, including directing "Laverne & Shirley," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," the original "Will & Grace," "Friends" and many more.
His family added that Burrows "helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world."
Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith , born Brytavious Lakeith Chambers, was found dead June 18 at age 29 in Nashville. Police said no foul play is suspected and that his death remains unclassified pending autopsy results. The Memphis native was known for producing some of hip-hop's biggest hits, including Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode," and he worked with artists like Drake, Beyoncé, Eminem, 21 Savage and Sexyy Red throughout his career.
(Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Daveigh Chase
, the former child star best known for "The Ring" and as the voice of Lilo in "Lilo & Stitch," died June 16 at 35. Per TMZ,
Chase died from meningitis and an infection in her blood. The outlet reports that she was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital earlier this month for malnutrition.
In "The Ring," Chase played long-haired, rubber-jointed Samara who iconically crawls out of a TV set. Her other credits include "Donnie Darko" and voice acting in the English dub of "Spirited Away."
Oliver Tree
, the musician behind hits "Life Goes On" and "Miss You," died June 14 in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities confirmed to USA TODAY
. He was 32.
Police identified Tree among six victims after two helicopters reportedly collided midair and crashed, sparking a fire. The California-born artist had recently performed in Brazil as part of his Love You Madly, Hate You Badly World's First World Tour. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
A remembrance
was shared on Tree's social media accounts on June 21 and read, in part: "Oliver is now back in California where he can finally rest. His legacy will live on through his foundation/endowment named “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses” coming soon. This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will. We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish."
Tom Dreesen, who opened for Frank Sinatra
for 14 years and became part of the United States' first interracial stand-up comedy duo alongside Tim Reid, died at age 86.
The prolific comedian died on June 17 in Los Angeles, his representative confirmed to USA TODAY. No cause of death was shared.
The Chicago native worked as a stand-up comic for more than 50 years and made hundreds of TV appearances, including on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Gene Shalit , the longtime NBC "Today" film and book critic known for his trademark mustache, bow ties and pun-filled reviews, died June 12 at 100. Shalit spent nearly four decades on the morning show after joining in 1970, becoming one of television's most recognizable entertainment voices. His witty commentary, celebrity interviews and distinctive on-air persona made him a beloved media figure, while his reviews occasionally sparked controversy and debate among audiences and fellow critics.
(NBC NewsWire/NBCU Photo Bank) Walter Parazaider
, the cofounding member and saxophonist for pop and jazz-infused rock band Chicago
, died June 17 at 81. The band confirmed his death on social media
, writing in tribute: "A Rock & Roll band with horns was Walt's idea."
Parazaider's saxophone and flute solos can be heard on the hit tracks "Just You 'n' Me" and "Colour My World," respectively.
Robert Thurman
, the prominent Buddhist scholar, father of actress Uma Thurman and grandfather of Maya Hawke, died June 16 at 84. Tibet House US, the New York cultural center he cofounded, announced his death in an Instagram
post on June 17, noting his "teachings shaped countless lives."
The former Columbia University professor wrote, edited and translated over 20 books about Tibetan Buddhism. He was the first American ordained as a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition after studying under the 14th Dalai Lama.
Broadway star Gina Ferrall, known for performing in the original run of "Les Misérables," died the first weekend of June, her agent confirmed to USA TODAY on June 10. She was 67.
Her husband, Kory Grossman, told Playbill
that she had battled uterine sarcoma prior to her death. Ferrall played Madame Thénardier in "Les Mis," Madame Morrible in a touring production of "Wicked" and Madame de la Grande Bouche in "Beauty and the Beast," among other notable theater roles.
Talay Riley
, a British singer-songwriter who worked with major artists like Britney Spears and Dua Lipa, died at 35 after being stabbed in London on June 5.
Three suspects were arrested on suspicion of murder and authorities launched a homicide investigation, according to an official press release
from the Metropolitan Police.
Riley found massive success in his career, including winning a Grammy in 2019 for his work on H.E.R.'s self-titled album. The musician's family honored his legacy in a touching tribute after news of his death. "We will always cherish his kindness, beautiful spirit, and remarkable talent," they said.
Anthony Head, the English actor known for his roles as Rupert Giles on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Rupert Mannion on "Ted Lasso," died at 72
, his family confirmed on June 5.
Head died from pneumonia complications and was surrounded by his family, his daughters told the BBC
.
Head's other credits included "The Iron Lady," "Doctor Who," "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters" and "Bridgerton."
Owain Rhys Davies, an actor known for his role as Agent Wilson on "Twin Peaks: The Return," died at age 44
, his brother Rhodri Davies confirmed in a social media post on May 30.
Rhodri Davies called the death a "great shock," writing that there are "still questions that remain unanswered regarding the circumstances of his death" but that "our understanding at this stage is that Owain passed suddenly, naturally, and peacefully."
The actor's talent manager and friend, Gina Layne D'Acciaro, remembered him as "a mega-watt talent, a consummate professional, and, personally, one of my very dearest friends."
Kelly Lee Curtis, an actress and documentarian who was the sister of Jamie Lee Curtis
, died on May 30 at age 69.
The "Halloween" star confirmed her sister's death
in a social media post, writing that she died in her home "at peace."
"She was my first friend and lifelong confidant," Curtis wrote, adding that her sister "will be remembered for her loving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiosity, unique style, and her powdered, almond, crescent cookies at Christmas, hence her name, Auntie Cookie."
Kelly Lee Curtis appeared in movies like "Trading Places" and TV shows like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and she directed the 2018 documentary "Marby Jets Are Go."
Marjane Satrapi
, the Iranian French artist, filmmaker and author of the autobiographical graphic novel "Persepolis," died in June at the age of 56, Satrapi's family confirmed in a statement to the French news agency AFP. A cause of death was not given.
Satrapi spent her childhood in Tehran in a communist-leaning household. Her parents sent her to Vienna as a teenager, before she returned to Iran to study fine arts and later settled in France. She drew on that life of revolution, exile and return in "Persepolis," the stark black-and-white memoir that chronicled her childhood during and after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Peabo Bryson , the Grammy-winning singer behind multiple R&B and Disney hits, died at 75 on June 2 .
The singer "transitioned peacefully" while "surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him," according to a statement from Bryson's family that was provided to USA TODAY.
The news came two days after Variety
broke the news that Bryson was being treated after experiencing a stroke
.
The South Carolina-born musician was best known for the Disney hit duets "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion
and "A Whole New World" with singer-songwriter Regina Belle from the "Aladdin" soundtrack, which won back-to-back Grammys for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Both tracks were also nominated for record of the year.
Actress Ann Robinson
, best known for her role in the sci-fi classic "The War of the Worlds," died in September 2025 at the age of 96, her granddaughter, Tori Bravo, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter on May 17. A cause of death was not disclosed.
The Oscar-winning film, directed by Byron Haskin, follows the apocalyptic troubles that befall the Southern California town of Linda Rosa when hordes of Martians decide to invade Earth. Robinson reprised her "War of the Worlds" role several times, including the 1988 horror-comedy satire "Midnight Movie Massacre" and the "War of the Worlds" TV series in the '80s. She even appeared in Steven Spielberg's 2005 remake of the film, which starred Tom Cruise.
Singer Claudine Longet, who was married to singer and variety show host Andy Williams and later gained notoriety when she was found guilty of misdemeanor criminally negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of Olympic skier Vladimir “Spider” Sabich, has died. She was 84.
Her nephew, Bryan Longet, paid tribute to Longet in a May 14 Instagram
story in which he wrote in French that there is "one more star in the sky."
Michael Pennington
, the British actor and theater star who appeared in the "Star Wars" franchise, has died at 82, his reps confirmed to the BBC
on Monday, May 11.
Pennington played Death Star Commander Moff Jerjerrod in 1983's "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi." His other roles included British politician Michael Foot in the movie "The Iron Lady," which starred Meryl Streep
as Margaret Thatcher. Pennington also cofound the English Shakespeare Company.
Jake Hall, a British star who appeared on " The Only Way Is Essex
," died at 35, The U.K. Sun reported
on
Thursday, May 7.
Hall was reportedly found
dead in Santa Margalida in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to BBC News
that the law enforcement agency was investigating the incident as an accidental death. Hall appeared on the ITV2 reality show about young Essex socialites from 2015 to 2016. "Jake was a part of the TOWIE family for a number of years and we send our very deepest sympathies to his friends and family following today's very sad news," ITV said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
Ted Turner, the media mogul and philanthropist, died on May 6 at age 87
.
Turner died peacefully "surrounded by his family," according to a news release from Turner Enterprises obtained by USA TODAY.
Turner, who founded CNN in 1980 and revolutionized television with nonstop news coverage, was survived by five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Turner previously shared with "CBS Sunday Morning" in 2018 that he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.
Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of The Ronettes, has died. She was 80.
Talley Ross' death was confirmed on Sunday, April 26, in a post on the girl group's verified Instagram account. "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross' passing," the post read. "She was a light to those who knew and loved her."
Talley Ross formed The Ronettes, the group known for hit songs like "Be My Baby," with her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett in 1957. The group broke up in 1967, and Talley Ross later released a Christian solo album, "Full Circle," in 1978. The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Abbe Lane, the singer and actress once dubbed "the swingingest sexpot in show business," died April 25 of natural causes in Los Angeles, her son Steven Leff confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter
on Aug. 7. She was 93. Lane became known in the 1950s and '60s for her sultry nightclub performances and revealing costumes.
She starred in films alongside Glenn Ford and Cornel Wilde and opposite Tony Randall in the 1958 Broadway musical "Oh, Captain!" Lane also became a TV fixture from the 1950s through the '70s, appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."
Lane married famed bandleader Xavier Cugat, more than 30 years her senior, in 1952 and frequently performed alongside him before their 1964 divorce. Later that year, she married theatrical agent Perry Leff, with whom she had two sons. They remained married until his death in 2020.
Michael Tilson Thomas, a renowned conductor and composer, died on April 22 following a battle with brain cancer, Thomas' representatives, Connie Shuman and Donagh Collins, confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 81.
Thomas, a 12-time Grammy Award winner, served as musical director for several prominent symphonies, including the New World Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra. His final performance was in April 2025 with the San Francisco Symphony, two months after he'd revealed
his brain tumor had returned.
"Through his illness he continued to make music — a testament to his legacy as a musician and communicator," Shuman said in a statement.
Longtime " Storage Wars " star Darrell Sheets was found dead in his western Arizona home at age 67, local police confirmed April 22.
The Lake Havasu City Police Department said authorities found Sheets dead around 2 a.m. that day. His manner of death was suspected to be suicide, authorities said.
A&E, which airs "Storage Wars," said in a statement to USA TODAY that the network is "saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell 'The Gambler' Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time." Sheets appeared in 163 episodes of "Storage Wars," which premiered in 2010, but has only sporadically appeared in the latest seasons after he revealed he'd suffered a heart attack in 2019. Upon leaving the locker trade industry, he moved to Arizona and owned an antiques store.
Dave Mason
, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of ‘60s prog-rock band Traffic, died at 79 on April 19, a spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.
In addition to his guitar work with Traffic, Mason is regarded for playing with Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones as well as writing the soulful “Feelin’ Alright?"
“Dave Mason lived a remarkable life devoted to the music and the people he loved,” read the statement.
(Courtesy of Chris Jensen) Sid Krofft
, a puppeteer turned producer of beloved children's programs such as "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Land of the Lost," died at 96.
Krofft died of natural causes Friday, April 10, at the home of his friend and business partner Kelly Killian, Krofft's publicist, Adam Fenton, told USA TODAY on April 13. Sid and brother Marty Krofft were the minds behind imaginative children's programs beginning in the late '60s, with "H.R. Pufnstuf" debuting on NBC in 1969. The series about a shipwrecked boy Jimmy (played by Jack Wild) was followed by other memorable series such as "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters," "Land of the Lost," and variety shows "Donny and Marie" and "Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters."
Indian actress and singer Asha Bhosle
, known for her versatile repertoire and high-energy singing in countless Bollywood movies, died on April 12 at the age of 92. Bhosle had been hospitalized in Mumbai, India, due to a chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, said.
Over the course of her career, Bhosle was nominated for two Grammy Awards and landed the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India's top arts accolade, and also the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian honor.
DJ and rapper Afrika Bambaataa
, who played a seminal role in shaping hip-hop, died on April 9 at age 68, Bambaataa's manager, Naf Aroug, confirmed to USA TODAY. TMZ
reported that he died from complications of cancer.
The Bronx-native emcee is best known for his 1982 hit "Planet Rock." He also collaborated with many innovative funk artists, from James Brown and John Lydon to George Clinton.
Chip Taylor
, the " Angel of the Morning
" and " Wild Thing
" songwriter whose family members include brother Jon Voight
and niece Angelina Jolie
, has died. He was 86. The singer – born James Wesley Voight – died Monday, March 23, according to his label, Train Wreck Records
.
After British rock band The Troggs recorded his track "Wild Thing," it shot up the Billboard charts, topping the Hot 100 in 1966. In 2019, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
for its "lasting qualitative or historical significance." It also played a part in an iconic moment
in music history when a kneeling Jimi Hendrix doused his guitar with lighter fluid and set it on fire to close out the Jimi Hendrix Experience's set at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Merrilee Rush popularized Taylor's song "Angel In The Morning" with her 1968 recording, but it was Juice Newton's version in 1981 that entered the Billboard Hot 100.
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
in 2016, with his brothers accompanying Taylor at the ceremony
.
Valerie Perrine
, an Oscar-nominated actress who performed opposite Dustin Hoffman's Lenny Bruce in 1974's "Lenny" and starred in Christopher Reeve
's "Superman" films, has died. She was 82.
Perrine "passed away peacefully at her home on March 23, 2026, surrounded by love, exactly as she had wished," according to Stacey Souther, director of the 2019 documentary short " Valerie
." Perrine battled Parkinson's disease for 15 years, making her acting career "no longer possible," Souther wrote in a GoFundMe
page.
Perrine's role as Honey Bruce earned her a best actress nomination at the 1975 Oscars, and she cinched the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as a BAFTA honor for most promising newcomer.
She was perhaps best known for acting alongside the late Gene Hackman , who played Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor in 1978's "Superman" and its 1980 sequel, portraying his girlfriend and assistant Miss Eve Teschmacher.
(Kevin Winter, Getty Images) Nicholas Brendon
, the actor beloved by fans as Xander Harris on seven seasons of TV’s "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," died March 20. His family said in a statement that star, 54, died in his sleep of natural causes.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son,” the family wrote on Brendon’s official Facebook page, asking for privacy “as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart."
The actor was nominated for several Saturn Awards during his “Buffy” run and also appeared as FBI technical analyst Kevin Lynch on “Criminal Minds.”
After “Buffy,” Brendon had numerous health difficulties and struggled with substance abuse. He was in treatment to manage his diagnosis and “he was optimistic about the future,” his family wrote.
(Kevin Winter, Getty Images) Chuck Norris
, the action icon whose martial arts skills became his springboard to a Hollywood career, died March 19 at 86, his family confirmed on Instagram. No cause of death was given. To the world, he was “a symbol of strength,” the statement read. “To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family."
Norris, a martial arts teacher and karate champion, was cast by Bruce Lee as the villain Colt in Lee's 1972 film "The Way of the Dragon." From there, he starred in a lengthy run of box office hits, including “Missing in Action,” “Code of Silence” and “The Delta Force,” and became a huge TV star in nine seasons of “Walker, Texas Ranger” (1993 to 2001).
On his birthday – nine days before his death – he posted video of himself sparring. “I don’t age,” he wrote. “I level up.”
(Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)Kiki Shepard , the longtime co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo," died March 16 at age 74, her representative confirmed to TMZ and Variety. No cause of death was given.
Shepard co-hosted the long-running show filmed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem from 1987 to 2002. Known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion," the actress and Broadway dancer flaunted her style onstage alongside hosts including Steve Harvey and Sinbad. On TV, she appeared on shows like "Baywatch," "Sirens" and "Thunder in Paradise."
In 2006, Shepard launched the KIS Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at raising awareness for sickle cell, and said she carried the gene for the disease.
(Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images)Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, who spent three decades in the hard rock band, died at 64, his family shared March 14 on social media accounts for his band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. His family said he died peacefully after "a complex major operation."
Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 and went on to be the longest-serving member other than founder Lemmy Kilmister. He recorded 16 albums with Motörhead, including “Orgasmatron,” and the group disbanded after Kilmister’s death in 2015.
“You could not be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived it with great joy," his band Bastard Sons posted. "The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated."
(Ian Gavan, Getty Images)Rapper and longtime radio host Lord Sear has died, SiriusXM
confirmed on March 11. He was 52.
"He was more than a voice on the radio — he was a force, a friend, and family to so many of us," the caption of a tribute post on Sears' Instagram page reads
. "Lord Sear's legacy in hip hop runs deep."
Sear established a legacy for himself, tracing back to his involvement with the group Kurious in the 1990s and with the underground hip-hop radio show, "The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show."
Tommy DeCarlo
, a singer who made the leap from fan to touring lead vocalist for the rock band Boston
, has died. He was 60.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dad, Tommy DeCarlo, on Monday, March 9th, 2026. After being diagnosed with brain cancer last September, he fought with incredible strength and courage right up until the very end," a message
shared on his social media accounts — signed by Annie, Talia and Tommy DeCarlo Jr. — read.
Boston founder Tom Scholz paid homage to his bandmate in a statement shared with USA TODAY, which read, "This morning Tommy lost his fight with cancer. Everyone who has heard Tommy sing on stage, or on BOSTON albums, knows what a gifted artist he was, but few know how hard he worked to fill that role of BOSTON's lead vocalist, and to turn himself into a top-tier live performer – or more importantly, what a dedicated father he was to his children."
Scholz noted DeCarlo "appeared out of nowhere to rescue BOSTON in 2007" after singer Brad Delp's death.
"Country Joe" McDonald
, who became a Woodstock festival legend and fronted the band Country Joe and the Fish, has died at age 84.
The singer, born Joseph Allen McDonald, died March 7, in Berkeley, California, from complications from Parkinson's disease
, according to a statement from the band
that was shared on Facebook.
McDonald served as the lead singer and co-founder of the 1960s psychedelic folk-rock group Country Joe and the Fish, and he wrote the group's most enduring songs, including the protest song against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, titled "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag."
That track became a battle cry and was immortalized, along with an infamous f-word cheer during his 1969 Woodstock performance.
Oliver "Power" Grant
, a founding member of the hip-hop group the Wu-Tang Clan
, died at 52. The Staten Island-based hip-hop collective confirmed his death
in a Feb. 25 X post. "Rest in Power, Power," the group wrote alongside a video showing interview clips of the foundational member.
Born in Jamaica in the early 70s, Grant grew up in the Park Hill Projects in Staten Island with what would later become the Wu-Tang Clan. He was a childhood friend of Wu-Tang co-founder RZA's older brother Divine, and became a key part of the group's inception and successful run. Though Grant didn't perform in the group, he played a critical role in driving success not only in the music genre but also in transcending the culture into the world of fashion.
Katherine Hartley Short , Martin Short's eldest daughter , was found dead at her home on Feb. 23. She was 42.
The following day, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirmed the licensed clinical social worker's manner of death
was determined to be suicide.
Hartley Short was a licensed clinical social worker operating a private practice in Los Angeles and specialized in adoption, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and loss, suicidality, and relationship difficulties. Her mother, Short's late wife Nancy Dolman, died in August 2010 following a battle with ovarian cancer.
Neil Sedaka
, the legendary singer-songwriter behind tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," has died at 86, his representative Victoria Varela confirmed on Feb. 27.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," the family said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The Brooklyn, New York, native grew up to become a beloved pop and rock musician with over 700 songwriting credits, including long-lasting, recognizable hits, such as "Laughter in the Rain" and “Calendar Girl."
"Revenge of the Nerds" and " Lizzie McGuire
" actor Robert Carradine died Monday, Feb. 23, by suicide after living for two decades with bipolar disorder, his brother Keith Carradine confirmed to Deadline
. He was 71. "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon [of] light to everyone around him," the family said in a statement.
Carradine starred as Bob Younger in "The Long Riders" alongside his actor brothers Keith and David, as Private Zab in "The Big Red One," and dorky underdog Lewis Skolnick in his breakout role, 1984's "Revenge of the Nerds," as well as its three sequels. Two decades later, he would go on to play Sam McGuire, dad to Hilary Duff
in Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire."
" Grey's Anatomy
" and " Euphoria
" star Eric Dane
died 10 months after he revealed his ALS diagnosis
. He was 53.
Dane's representative, Melissa Bank, confirmed the news
in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, Feb. 19. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," the statement read. "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."
Dane was best known for playing the charismatic and flirtatious Dr. Mark Sloan – aka "McSteamy" – on "Grey's Anatomy" from 2006 to 2012. He continued working in Hollywood after he went public with his diagnosis, playing a firefighter with ALS
on NBC's "Brilliant Minds," and reprised his role of Cal Jacobs on HBO's "Euphoria" in the upcoming third season
, due April 12, 2026.
Tom Noonan
, the character actor known for roles in "Heat," "Manhunter" and "The Monster Squad," has died at 74, according to a social media post
from Fred Dekker, Noonan's "Monster Squad" director.
Noonan became accustomed to playing antagonists on camera after his breakout role in "Manhunter," which was based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon," the first of his Hannibal Lecter novels. Noonan also played the main villain, Cain, in 1990's "Robocop 2" and the Ripper in 1993's "Last Action Hero."
Off-screen, Noonan was also a playwright and director who adapted his stage production, "What Happened Was…," into a 1994 indie film costarring Karen Sillas, which received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival that year.
Frederick Wiseman
, the prolific documentary filmmaker behind the controversial 1967 film "Titicut Follies" and 2017's "Ex Libris," has died. He was 96.
The director " passed away peacefully at his home
" in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the morning of Feb. 16, a representative for his film distribution company Zipporah Films confirmed to USA TODAY.
Wiseman was well into his 30s when he started his filmmaking career, which kicked off with his directorial debut "Titicut Follies" and continued into his 90s. Wiseman's most recent project was 2023's "Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros."
Robert Duvall , the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has died at 95.
Duvall died "peacefully" at home
on Feb. 15 in Middleburg, Virginia, a representative for the actor confirmed. He was with his wife, Luciana Duvall.
During a seven-decade stage, TV and screen acting career
, Duvall disappeared into a stunning range of strong-willed characters, leading to seven Oscar nominations and a best actor win for his role as a down-and-out country singer in 1983's "Tender Mercies."
Drummer Timothy Very, who performed with the Atlanta indie rock band Manchester Orchestra since 2011, has died, his bandmates shared on social media
Feb. 14.
"The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief," the band's post read.
"The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad. We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days.
James Van Der Beek
, the actor known best for embodying those formative, angsty teenage years in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," died on Feb. 11 at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer.
"He met his final days with courage, faith and grace," read a post on the actor's official Instagram page. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come."
Catherine O'Hara
, the legendary actress known for "Home Alone," "Best in Show" and "Schitt's Creek," died on Jan. 30 at the age of 71, O'Hara's manager confirmed to People magazine. A cause of death was not given.
A veteran in the entertainment industry, O'Hara has been one of the most lauded and respected actors of her generation, winner of two career Emmy awards, a Golden Globe and two Actor Awards (formerly Screen Actors Guild Awards). She was nominated for two Emmys at the 2025 ceremony.
Chuck Negron , founding member of "One" and "Til the World Ends" rockers Three Dog Night, has died. He was 83.
The singer died Feb. 2 at his home in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complications, publicist Zach Farnum confirmed to USA TODAY.
Singers Danny Hutton and Cory Wells
invited the New York City native to found Three Dog Night in 1967, going on to lead a successful run through the early '70s. Their 21 Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit singles include "Til the World Ends" and "Joy to the World." But the band is perhaps best known for their covers, popularizing Leo Sayer's "The Show Must Go On," Eric Burdon's "Mama Told Me," "Easy to Be Hard" from the musical "Hair" and Harry Nilsson's "One."
Negron embarked on a solo career, releasing the albums "Am I Still in Your Heart?," "Long Road Back" and the Christmas record "Joy to the World."
Rafael Pineda
, known to countless viewers as the familiar face of Univision 1
, has died. He was 88.
Univision
41 announced the news with a story on its website,
confirming Pineda died Jan. 25, in Florida.
Pineda anchored WXTV, or Univision 1, in New York for more than 40 years from 1972 to 2013, when he retired. When he left the network, he was the longest-serving news anchor in the New York
market and a pioneering Spanish-language voice.
Kim Vō
, the celebrity hair colorist behind the blond tresses of stars such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Pamela Anderson and Goldie Hawn, has died
.
Vō died following a seven-year battle with colorectal cancer that saw him "exceeding all medical expectations," his husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, wrote in a Jan. 24 social media post
.
Aside from working with celebrity clients, Vō also appeared on shows like Bravo's "Shear Genius" and the 2022 Paramount+ show "Blowing LA," which featured his flagship salon in West Hollywood, California.
Rob Hirst
, the Australian rock drummer best known for cofounding the band Midnight Oil, has died at age 70 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, Hirst's bandmates revealed on social media on Jan. 20. Hirst had been diagnosed in 2023.
The musician released 13 studio albums with Midnight Oil from 1978-2022, including 1987's platinum-selling "Diesel and Dust." He was also a member of the bands Ghostwriters and Backsliders.
Valentino Garavani
, Italian fashion designer to the stars, died at 93.
A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagram by his foundation
and his own @realmrvalentino account
reads, “Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones.” His cause of death was not given.
The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as “Valentino Red.”
Roger Allers
, the Oscar-nominated animated filmmaker who co-directed Disney's 1994 blockbuster hit
" The Lion King
," died on Jan. 17, the company's CEO announced. He was 76.
Allers died following "a short illness," a Walt Disney Animation Studios spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter
and Animation Magazine
. USA TODAY reached out to the studio and his family for additional information.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke about Allers' death in a Jan. 18 social media post
, calling the director a "creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come."
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer
. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."
Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10 at age 78
. Weir's death was announced in a post on Instagram, which said the cause was "underlying lung issues."
"For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," the post said. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."
Actor T.K. Carter died on Jan. 9 at age 69, representatives confirmed to USA TODAY
.
Born Thomas Kent Carter, the actor was known for his roles in films like "The Thing" and TV shows like "Punky Brewster." "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres," his publicist, Tony Freeman, said. "He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."
Grammy-nominated country songwriter Jim McBride , known for cowriting over a dozen Alan Jackson records, including "Chattahoochee," has died. He was 78.
Jackson confirmed McBride's death in an Instagram
tribute on Jan. 8.
"Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don't know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help," Jackson wrote, "inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace." The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer is also credited with helping write Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn," among other songs.
Hungarian director Béla Tarr, best known for dark dramas such as "Damnation," "Satantango" and "The Turin Horse," died on Jan. 6 following a "long and serious illness," the European Film Academy
announced in a tribute to the late filmmaker.
2011's "The Turin Horse," Tarr's final feature film, won best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, as well as the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Passages 2026 – Reggie Bannister, Tedde Moore, more stars we lost
Actor Ben Jones
, who played scruffy mechanic "Crazy" Cooter Davenport in nearly every episode of "Dukes of Hazzard" before running for Congress in Georgia, died at 84 at home in Virginia, his wife Alma Viator confirmed in an Aug. 9 Facebook
post.
"I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack," she wrote. "He loved and was loved by so many."
Pilot declared an emergency once autopilot disengaged
The pilot and six passengers were aboard a 2010 Pilatus PC-12 Next Generation aircraft that day when the plane crashed about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming, near Gillette.
The final two minutes of the flight were when things became "erratic," according to the report. At around 1:02 p.m., the plane was in the last portion of its flight. About 15 seconds before entering a rainy area, the pilot reported to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center that the autopilot had stopped working.
"(The pilot) declared an emergency to the air route traffic control center controller," the report reads. "The controller asked the pilot where he would like to land and the pilot responded that he was trying to get control of the airplane."
The air traffic controller asked the pilot to let them know if he needed assistance but received no response, the report says.
According to data the agency's investigators observed, the plane entered the rainy area and flew to the right, then climbed to about 26,525 feet above sea level. The plane then turned right again, descended and then flew up to about 27,025 feet above sea level.
Investigators looked at the last data point, which showed the plane was headed south at about 21,900 feet above sea level, traveling 256 knots.
"Data indicated that the autopilot disconnected a few seconds after the airplane encountered the precipitation," the NTSB said in the report.
Pilot had 2,200 hours of flight experience
According to the NTSB's report, the pilot was trying to turn the autopilot back on and get the plane under control, which "likely created an operational distraction."
Once the plane lost radio and radar contact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert notice. Local police eventually found the plane in remote terrain.
The pilot answered on his most recent aviation medical examination application that he had 2,200 total hours of flight experience, including 70 hours in the six months before the examination.
"The pilot was issued an FAA third-class airman medical certificate on Sept. 15, 2022, with the following limitation: must have available glasses for near vision," the report reads.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NTSB reveals cause of plane crash that killed members of The Nelons
