Christian Oliver’s wife Jessica Klepser and her family issued an emotional statement on Friday – a day after a horrific plane crash claimed the lives of Christian and their two daughters.
The message was posted on the Instagram page of Wundabar Pilates, where Jessica works as the regional manager of the company’s California branch.
The company’s owner, Amy Jordan, first made the gut-wrenching announcement, saying ‘it is with an extremely heavy and broken heart I share this news’ to her more than 17 million followers.
Jessica, who was in Los Angeles at the time of the tragedy, wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane accident on January 4, 2024, which took the lives of our beloved family members.’
‘Our daughters, Madita (12), and Annik (10), along with their father Christian, were returning from a holiday in the Caribbean when the single-engine plane they were traveling in experienced engine trouble and fell into the ocean.
‘Unfortunately, all four passengers on the small aircraft did not survive.’
The family – mother Jessica and Christian Oliver, 51, with their two daughters, Madita, 12 and Annik, 10
Members of the Saint Vincent Coast Guard are on site during the recovery operation
The single-engine aircraft departed J.F. Mitchell Airport en route to the island of St. Lucia when pilot Robert Sachs called on his radio that the plane was having difficulties. Moments later it nosedived into the Caribbean ocean. Reports said the plane went down between the airport and Petit Nevis that is pictured on the map
Robert Sachs’ Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking shown here in a post on Facebook
The Indiana Jones actor, whose real name is Christian Klepser, 51, and two daughters, Madita and Annik, had arrived on their Caribbean holiday on December 26, officials said.
They were at the end of their trip before boarding the doomed flight, and Oliver posting an eerie final Instagram post before their deaths.
‘Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love …2024 here we come!’ he captioned the post, capturing the sunset off Bequia, a small Caribbean island, which is part of St. Vincent.
The plane departed J.F. Mitchell Airport in Bequia, an island in the Grenadines, en route to St. Lucia.
However, moments after take off, pilot Robert Sachs radioed the tower notifying them that the aircraft was experiencing difficulties and that he was turning back, the St. Vincent-based news outlet Searchlight reported.
Communication was soon lost before the plane nose dived and crashed into the waters of the Caribbean Sea around 12.11pm. Sachs also perished in the crash.
The fixed wing, single engine plane that was owned by Sachs went down between Bequia and the smaller island, Petit Nevis near the Southern community of La Pompe, the news outlet reported.
Some local fishermen who were at a nearby fisheries complex when the plane went down ran to help before members of the SVG Coast Guard arrived at the scene, officials said.
It was reported that the fishermen located the aircraft which is believed to have sunk approximately 70 feet in the ocean.
Two divers had recovered the bodies of the deceased that were transported to the mainland of Saint Vincent and taken to the Kingstown Mortuary where post-mortem examinations will be done to determine the causes of death.
After the crash, the plane can be seen bobbing in the water. Local fishermen and divers descended on the scene in order to help with the rescue effort
A massive splash occurs as all four on board are killed by the impact
A few seconds into a social media clip that is circulating online, the plane can be seen speeding toward the water
Jessica memorialized each of her children in the social media post as the family asked for privacy during this unimaginable and painful time.
‘Madita, a vibrant 7th-grade student at Louis Armstrong Middle School, was known for her lively spirit and excelled in academics, dance, singing, and performances.
‘Annik, a 4th-grade student at Wonderland Ave Elementary School, was recognized for her gentle yet strong demeanor. She was always the first to offer a kind word or a comforting hug. Her passions included basketball, swimming, and various forms of art.
‘The deep bond, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit shared by Madita and Annik will be profoundly missed in their communities.
‘Their devoted mother, Jessica, survives the girls. They also leave behind their grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins in Germany.
‘Christian, an actor in Europe and the US, and a real estate agent with a broad network of close friends worldwide, is survived by Jessica, his parents and sister in Germany. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him.’
In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe was set up to help Jessica and her extended family during this harrowing time.
‘Your donations will help cover the cost of returning Christian and the girls home, funeral and memorial services, legal expenses,’ Sarah Silverman, the organizer’s fundraiser wrote, in part.
As of Saturday morning, more than $58,000 was donated toward their goal of $100,000.
Oliver, shown here with screen legend Al Pacino in 2020, had more than 60 credits on his IMDb page
During his career, Oliver appeared in major movies such as Speed Racer and Valkyrie and recently had a part in the latest installment of the Indiana Jones franchise.
The German-born native came to the United States at 21 to start a modeling and acting career. A successful actor, he had more than 60 credits on his IMDb page.
Among his first roles in the US was a long-standing stint on Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1995. He also appeared as a character in the hit video game Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond.
Oliver will appear in the upcoming movie Forever Hold Your Peace, which he also produced, and had filmed his final scenes on December 20.