All Six Passengers Identified After Canadian Medical Jet Vanishes Off Nantucket

Key points

• The six people aboard the missing medical jet have been identified as Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66, and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41, along with four Canadian crew members: Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton, and Jolene Beth Weir.
• The Gulfstream G100, tail number C-GRJP, departed Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport late Friday night for Boston Logan International Airport. The FAA lost contact with the aircraft at approximately 1:20 a.m. ET on Saturday.
• Flight data indicates the plane descended from 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet in roughly three minutes before disappearing south of Nantucket. The US Coast Guard located a debris field confirmed to be from the aircraft and suspended the search on Sunday.
• Marilyn Lavonne Bean was being transported for stroke treatment, accompanied by her son, who serves as senior vice president at Hamilton Re. The four crew members included the captain, first officer, flight nurse, and respiratory therapist.
• The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation as the aircraft was registered in Canada, with the US National Transportation Safety Board assisting. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

Background

The incident occurred on October 3, 2026, when a medical evacuation flight from Bermuda to Boston lost contact over the Atlantic. Initial reports confirmed the presence of debris off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. By October 6, authorities had identified the two passengers and confirmed the four crew members were presumed dead. This briefing synthesizes the identification of all six victims and the ongoing investigation led by Canadian authorities.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and Fox News Digital provided detailed identifications of the passengers and crew, highlighting the personal and professional backgrounds of the victims, such as Sergio Wayne Lottimore’s role at Hamilton Re. The US Coast Guard emphasized the scale of the search, noting that 1,644 square miles were searched over 27 hours before operations were suspended. Bernews focused on the human impact, featuring a tribute from the daughter of respiratory therapist Jolene Beth Weir, who described her mother’s dedication to saving lives. Latitude Air Ambulance expressed mourning for the 'unimaginable loss' and committed to supporting the families of the deceased. All sources agree on the presumed death of all six occupants and the leadership of the Canadian investigation, but differ in emphasis between the operational details of the search, the personal tributes, and the professional contexts of the victims.

Why it matters

The identification of all six victims brings a somber closure to the immediate search phase, shifting focus to the investigation into the cause of the crash. The incident highlights the risks associated with medical evacuation flights and the international coordination required in such tragedies. The involvement of Canadian and US authorities underscores the collaborative efforts in aviation safety and disaster response. The personal stories of the victims, particularly the respiratory therapist who dedicated her career to saving lives, humanize the tragedy and underscore the impact on families and communities.

What to watch

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will continue its investigation into the cause of the crash, with the US National Transportation Safety Board assisting. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the incident, and further updates may be released as the investigation progresses. The families of the victims are expected to receive ongoing support from the involved agencies and communities. The incident may also prompt reviews of safety protocols for medical evacuation flights, particularly those involving long-distance transatlantic routes.