A devastating helicopter crash over the East River has left an entire family shattered and a grieving brother speaking out in a statement that has since shaken the internet. The incident, which occurred during a sightseeing flight over New York City, claimed the lives of a young woman, her husband, their child, and the pilot — a loss so complete, it has drawn comparisons to the most tragic aviation disasters in recent memory. As investigators dig into the cause, the woman’s brother has stepped forward with a message that is equal parts grief and disbelief.
“I still don’t understand how they’re just gone,” he said in a gut-wrenching interview with ABC7. “My sister was the kindest person I knew. They were visiting the city, just trying to make memories. Now all I have is this silence.” His voice trembled as he clutched a photo of the family taken only hours before the crash, smiling on the Brooklyn Bridge, unaware of the tragedy looming ahead.
Witnesses described seeing the helicopter plunge into the East River in a violent spiral before flipping upside down. A bystander video captured the final moments — the aircraft sinking into dark waters as emergency crews rushed toward the wreckage. Despite the quick response, all five occupants were declared dead at the scene or shortly after. The National Transportation Safety Board is now leading the investigation.
The family, originally from Illinois, had booked the flight through a well-known helicopter tour company that has since grounded its fleet. In a New York Times report, the pilot was identified as 33-year-old Jason Miller, a veteran with over 1,500 flight hours. Authorities confirmed that a mayday call had been issued moments before the crash, indicating “catastrophic engine failure.”
The brother, who identified his sister as 29-year-old Angela Rosario, shared a video tribute on Instagram that has now gone viral. In the clip, he shows clips of his niece’s last birthday party, followed by photos from the family’s NYC trip. “They were so happy,” he wrote in the caption. “And now I’m planning funerals for four people.” You can view the tribute here.
Messages of support have poured in from across the globe. A GoFundMe campaign launched to help with memorial costs surpassed $300,000 within days. “I didn’t expect this kind of love,” the brother said in a recent press conference. “But I wish I didn’t need it. I wish they were still here.” The video shows him breaking down while holding his sister’s scarf.
The crash has reignited debate over the safety of non-commercial sightseeing flights, which are not subject to the same federal scrutiny as commercial airline operations. A new statement from the NTSB confirmed they are investigating whether pre-existing mechanical issues were overlooked. Lawmakers have already begun drafting a bill to increase helicopter safety standards in urban areas.
In a tweet, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote: “These losses were preventable. No one should lose their family because of a joyride gone wrong. It’s time to tighten regulations.” Her words were echoed by dozens of aviation professionals online who pointed out flaws in the tour operator’s maintenance history.
Friends of the family have held vigils in both New York and Chicago, lighting candles and holding up signs that read “Forever Five” and “Gone Too Soon.” A TikTok video filmed at one of the vigils, which has gained over 7 million views, shows mourners playing a voice message left by Angela just hours before the crash. Watch it here. In the message, she tells her brother, “We’re going up soon! I’ll send you a photo from the sky.” It would be her last message.
The family’s attorney has filed an early legal motion against the tour company, citing “gross negligence” and “failure to properly maintain aircraft.” In a CNN broadcast, he stated, “This family did not sign up to be a statistic. This was supposed to be a gift, a once-in-a-lifetime memory — not a death sentence.” The case is expected to gain national traction in the weeks ahead.
For now, the brother continues to share memories online. In a tweet pinned to his account, he wrote: “They were my whole world. My sister, my niece, my brother-in-law. Even the pilot — he tried to save them. And now they’re just… gone.” It ends with a photo of a drawing made by the little girl, labeled “My Family,” now turned into a memorial tattoo across her uncle’s arm.
