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Father's Year of Grief After Daughter's Fatal Crash
3 Feb
Summary
- Wife and daughter died in a plane crash over Potomac River.
- Daughter was a promising young figure skater pursuing her dream.
- Father and surviving son cope with immense loss and trauma.
Andy Beyer is marking one year since the catastrophic loss of his wife, Justyna, and daughter, Brielle, who perished in a Jan. 29, 2025, plane crash near Washington, D.C. The accident involved a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet carrying 64 people, including Brielle, an aspiring figure skater.
Brielle, who would have turned 14 in January 2026, was returning from a prestigious national competition. Her father recalled her resilience, having previously overcome a serious childhood cancer. Justyna, a registered nurse, and Brielle were on their way to land when the tragedy occurred.
Beyer, who had moved to Virginia after graduating from MIT, recounted the harrowing moments of learning about the crash and confirming their deaths. He and his 7-year-old son, Kallen, are now focused on honoring their memory and navigating life together, finding strength in community support and shared remembrance.
