Five Americans died in a helicopter crash in a remote region of northern Kenya, the U.S. State Department confirmed, bringing the total fatalities to seven, including the pilot. The crash occurred at 9:13 a.m. local time in the foothills of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, with all six passengers and the pilot perishing.
Among the deceased Americans was José Suárez, 55, president and general manager of several Telemundo-owned stations in Florida, as identified in a memo to employees by Cesar Conde, chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group. Also killed were Ecuadorian intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vásconez. Other American victims included Roger Edward Duarte, founder of George Stone Crab; Adam Martin Hlavaty, co-founder of Mrkt Group; and Henry Parra, an aviation software executive. A married South Florida couple, Henry Parra and Adam Hlavaty, were also identified among the tourists on safari.
The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was operated by Lady Lori Kenya and was on a charter flight from Suyian Conservancy to Mount Ololokwe. Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority identified the operator, while Lady Lori Kenya expressed condolences and confirmed cooperation with authorities. Kenyan pilot Josh Outram, who reportedly co-owned Lady Lori, also died. The recovery efforts were challenged by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site. Investigations into the cause are underway, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.
