Topics: News, US News, Celebrity, Film and TV, Instagram
Speed Racer actor Christian Oliver shared a heartbreaking post just hours before his death.
Oliver, real name Christian Klepser, died on Thursday (January 4) alongside his two daughters - aged 10 and 12 - after their plane crashed.
The ordeal took place west of Petit Nevis after taking off from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm on a flight bound for St. Lucia.
Advert
The flight suffered difficulties soon after setting off and quickly 'plummeted into the ocean'.
The pilot, who has been named as Robert Sachs, also died in the tragic incident.
Oliver's untimely death came just a few days after he shared optimistic hopes for 2024.
Posting a photo of people standing on the beach, he wrote on Instagram: "Let Love Rule. Wishing you all the best for 2024!"
Oliver, 51, captioned the post: "Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love …2024 [here] we come!"
But little did the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny star know that his 2024 would come to a devastatingly abrupt end.
Oliver is survived by his ex wife, Jessica Klepser, whom he shared daughters Madita and Annik with, as well as his sister and parents.
The family have issued a statement in the wake of his death.
It read: "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 statement continued: “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 Klepser in LA, 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."
A GoFundMe page has since been created for Jessica 'as she navigates this catastrophic loss'.
At the time of writing, over $144,000 has been raised.
