Broadway actress Megan Hilty has spoken out for the first time since her pregnant sister, brother-in-law, and niece were killed in a plane crash on Sunday (September 4).
The tragic incident claimed the lives of 10 people, including Hilty's three family members. Her nephew, Remy, was the only child on board the sea float plane.
Taking to Instagram, the Tony nominee posted an image of her late loved ones, penning a tragic yet heartfelt caption that read: "On Sunday afternoon, a small float plane crashed into Puget Sound off the coast of Whidbey Island. My beloved sister Lauren, brother-in-law Ross and baby nephew Remy were on that plane."
"To make this news even more devastating, my sister was eight months pregnant and we were expecting to welcome baby boy Luca into the world next month," the 41-year-old Washington native continued.
"The last three days have been the worst of our lives. There are truly no words to appropriately convey the depth of our grief. The last thing I wanted to do was acknowledge this painful family tragedy publicly, but it's come to my attention that several news outlets have misgendered my sweet nephew and some haven't even mentioned baby Luca," she added.
The actress and mom-of-two also asked that the name and personal information of her niece, who was not onboard the flight, be kept private, writing: "Lauren and Ross left behind my niece who we are all holding in our hearts. Thankfully, she was not on the plane and we ask that her name and personal information be kept private as she is a minor. It is important these details be corrected to respectfully honor everyone we've lost and the loved ones they've left behind."
"The outpouring of love and support has meant so much to everyone in our family. It has been so comforting to know just how loved Lauren, Ross, Remy and Luca truly are," she concluded.
Following the devastating incident, a press release from the US Coast Guard revealed the names of those onboard. Alongside Hilty's relatives, the release named pilot Jason Winters and passengers Sandy Williams, Joanne Mera, Patricia Hicks, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, and Gabrielle Hanna as those missing.
The day after the crash, the US Coast Guard tweeted that they had called off their search, after locating just one passenger's body (the identity of whom is currently unknown).
"The Coast Guard has suspended its active search for the remaining nine missing individuals effective at noon. Coast Guard assets completed 26 search sorites, covering 1,283 linear nautical miles and saturating an area of more than 2100 sq. nautical miles," they announced in their tweet.
"All next of kin have been notified of this decision. Our hearts go out to the families, loved ones and friends of those who remain missing and the deceased," they added.
Appearing in a number of Broadway musicals, Hilty is well-respected in the stage acting scene - having starred in Wicked, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Noises Off. The latter earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 2015.
Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of Megan Hilty, Jason Winters, Sandy Williams, Joanne Mera, Patricia Hicks, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, and Gabrielle Hanna at this devastating time.