Two years after a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of her entire family, Jessica Klepser has made a poignant pilgrimage to the Caribbean island where the tragedy unfolded.
A Heartbreaking Return to Bequia
The widow of Hollywood actor Christian Oliver traveled to the island of Bequia in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to mark the second anniversary of the deaths. Her husband, also known as Christian Klepser, and their daughters, Madita, 10, and Annik, 12, perished when their small plane crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff on January 4, 2024.
In a deeply emotional post on Instagram, Klepser shared that she was initially fearful of the journey but ultimately found solace. "I was scared to come here, but so glad I did," she wrote. "Finally seeing all the places, my girls and their dad spent their last 10 days. Days that were filled with laughter, joy, and friendship."
The Final Flight and a Mother's Tribute
The family had been enjoying a holiday in the Caribbean, having arrived on December 26, 2023. They were en route to the neighbouring island of St Lucia around noon when the single-engine aircraft experienced difficulties moments after departing from J.F. Mitchell Airport on Bequia.
According to local reports, the pilot, Robert Sachs, radioed the control tower to report trouble and his intention to turn back. This was the final communication from the plane. Witness Cornell Campbell described hearing the engine fail, briefly regain power, and then fail again before the aircraft dove into the ocean.
During her visit, Jessica Klepser performed a powerful act of remembrance by swimming in the very waters where the plane went down. She also met with the local fisherman who bravely recovered the bodies from the wreckage. "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!!!" she recounted in her post.
Building a New Life After Loss
Klepser and Oliver had divorced in December 2021, but she has spoken openly about keeping his memory and that of their daughters close. In an interview with People magazine in October 2024, she reflected on her transformative grief. "I became a new person after this, and I have to myself, get to know this person," she said, redefining strength as allowing oneself to fully experience sorrow.
The actor, known for roles in films like Speed Racer and The Good German, had posted an optimistic message just two days before his death, captioned: "Let love rule. Wishing all of you the best for 2024." The official investigation into the precise cause of the crash is understood to be ongoing.
