Megan Hilty has paid tribute after her sister, brother-in-law and nephew died in a plane crash.
, were among the 10 passengers on board a floatplane on September 4, when it crashed into Puget Sound, in Washington.
, with the identities of those on board released by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) soon after.
Following the tragedy, the Detective Pikachu actress spoke of her loss on Instagram, sharing snaps of her pregnant sibling’s family.
‘On Sunday afternoon, a small floatplane crashed into Puget Sound off the coast of Whidbey Island,’ she began. ‘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 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.’
Megan went on to share that Lauren and Ross are survived by their daughter, who was not on the plane – but explained that she is keeping her niece’s identity private.
‘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,’ she added.
‘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.’
Fans and famous friends rushed to offer the smash actress their support in the comments below.
Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause commented: ‘Utter heartbreak. Lifting you and your family up and praying for you all.
‘Sending so much love your way. So incredibly sorry Megan.’
Tony Hale simply replied: ‘Oh Megan. I am so so sorry.’
‘This is just so devastating,’ Matthew Morrison wrote. ‘I’m holding you and your family in my heart, and so sorry for your loss.’
‘I am so so sorry for your unbelievable loss,’ an Instagram user posted.
‘There are no words. My heart breaks for you and your family,’ a follower added. ‘Sending so much love and keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.’
On Sunday afternoon, the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter floatplane was flying out of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and was reportedly heading to Renton, Washington, .
A huge search began for the victims with the USCG dispatching rescue helicopters, boats and aircrafts spanning the nearby area – but this concluded with only one victim’s body being recovered.
An investigation into what caused the crash will be launched by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Lauren, Remy and Ross were identified, along with pilot Jason Winters and fellow passengers Patricia Hicks, Sandra Williams, Rebecca Ludwig, Luke Ludwig, Joanne Mera and Gabrielle Hanna.
‘It is always difficult when it comes time to make a decision to stop searching,’ Captain Daniel Broadhurst of the Coast Guard said in a release.
‘The hearts of all the first responders go out to those who lost a family member, a loved one, or a friend in the crash.’
