Two years after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of Hollywood actor Christian Oliver and his two young daughters, his ex-wife has made a poignant pilgrimage to the site of the tragedy.
A Heartbreaking Return to Bequia
Jessica Klepser traveled to the Caribbean island of Bequia, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to mark the second anniversary of the deaths. The accident on January 4, 2024, killed 51-year-old Oliver, also known as Christian Klepser, and his daughters Madita, 12, and Annik, 10.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Klepser shared that she was initially scared to make the journey but was ultimately glad she did. "Finally seeing all the places, my girls and their dad spent their last 10 days," she wrote. "Days that were filled with laughter, joy, and friendship."
Confronting the Scene of the Tragedy
During her visit, Klepser swam in the ocean where the single-engine plane went down shortly after takeoff from J.F. Mitchell Airport. The family had been en route to the neighbouring island of St Lucia around noon when the aircraft experienced difficulties.
She also met with the local fisherman who bravely recovered the bodies from the submerged wreckage. Klepser recounted his words in her post: "The fisherman who got you out told me, you had your arms wrapped around each other when he found you underwater. You were holding each other tightly!!!"
St. Vincent's Searchlight news outlet reported that the pilot, Robert Sachs, radioed the tower after takeoff to report trouble and his intention to turn back. That was the final communication from the flight.
Remembering a Final Holiday
Christian Oliver had arrived in the Caribbean with Madita and Annik on December 26, 2023, for a holiday. Just two days before the crash, the actor posted a hopeful message for the new year alongside a tropical photo, captioning it: "Let love rule. Wishing all of you the best for 2024."
Witness Cornell Campbell described the plane's engine cutting out, briefly regaining power, and then failing again before it dove into the water with a sound he described as "Bouff!"
Jessica Klepser, who divorced Oliver in December 2021, has spoken about the profound personal transformation following the loss. "I became a new person after this," she told People magazine in October 2024, redefining strength to include allowing herself to grieve, cry, and scream.
The bodies were recovered and taken to the Kingstown Mortuary on St. Vincent for post-mortem examinations. For Klepser, the visit to Bequia was a step in her ongoing journey of remembrance and healing.
