Six tourists, pilot killed in Kenya helicopter crash

A Miami restaurateur named Roger Duarte was among seven individuals who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash that occurred in a remote area of northern Kenya on Wednesday. Duarte, the founder and owner of George Stone Crab, was a passenger on the aircraft that crashed while en route from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro region in Samburu County. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident. The crash is currently under investigation, with the cause yet to be determined.

According to the U.S. State Department, five of the seven fatalities were American citizens. The victims included an executive from Telemundo, the U.S.-based Spanish-language network owned by NBCUniversal, and José Suárez, the director of Ecuador’s national intelligence service. Additionally, Suárez's wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan, was among the casualties.

Duarte’s family released a poignant statement, expressing their "devastation and heartbreak" over the loss of their loved one and requesting prayers for the families affected by the tragedy. They also named the other four passengers and pilot in their statement.

José Suárez, who served as the president and general manager of Telemundo-owned stations in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers, Florida, was hailed as a deeply respected leader and beloved friend by his colleagues. Telemundo and NBCUniversal executives mourned his loss, praising his exceptional leadership, humor, and strong sense of purpose. Michele Sensi-Contugi, the director of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center, also perished in the crash, along with her husband, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan.