Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement on X: “As we learn of this tragic news, please join Marty, the girls, and me in praying for the loved ones of the Beggs and VanEpps families. We offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them.”

Local police were alerted of a suspected crash around 2 p.m. on Sunday. They launched a search in the Lake Cecil Road area, utilizing helicopters, drones, and ATVs. After these extensive search efforts, the crash site and the wrecked plane were eventually located.