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Fort Collins family of 4 ID'd as victims of fatal plane crash near Glenwood Springs

Posted at 4:52 PM, Sep 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-18 02:41:03-04

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – A Fort Collins family of four has been identified as the victims of a fatal small plane crash near Glenwood Springs.

Relatives on Sunday said in a statement that 47-year-old Jeff Makepeace, his 45-year-old wife, Jennifer, and their twin 10-year-old children, Addison and Benjamin, died in the crash late Friday. The family’s dog has also been confirmed to have been onboard the plane.

The four were in a single-engine plane flying from Fort Collins to Moab when it disappeared below radar near Baxter Peak, 15 miles north of Glenwood Springs.

The Cirrus SR22 crashed in mountainous terrain under unknown circumstances shortly after air traffic control lost contact with the plane in Garfield County. 

Garfield County search and rescue crews found the wreckage site around 11:30 a.m. Saturday and confirmed that no one had survived. The Garfield County Coroner was at the scene of the crash Sunday.

Sunday’s statement from relatives included additional details about the family, who were described as long-time residents of Fort Collins.

Relatives say Jeff was the owner of Lind’s Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins while his wife, Jennifer, was a stay at home mom. The twins attended fourth grade at Bauder Elementary School.

“Our family’s hearts have been broken by this tragic accident. Our grief cannot be defined and will be prolonged. But our memories of this amazing family will last forever,” the statement read.

The family expressed their gratitude to Garfield County first-responders who “braved trying and difficult conditions to reach the crash scene.” They also reached out to Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario who they say personally visited the family.

The family said they are not ready to talk and asked the media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Services for the Makepeace family are pending.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause of the crash.