A small plane crashed last week in Northern California, killing a couple from Utah, according to family members.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office shared a statement with PEOPLE saying authorities were notified of a plane crash on Oct. 20 in a rural location in the 21000 block of Airport Road in Covel, Calif., around 6 p.m. local time.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation, told PEOPLE that the Beechcraft A-36 crashed shortly after takeoff from Round Valley Airport in Covel.
The sheriff’s office went on to add that the plane caught fire. After the fire was contained, deputies “located the bodies of two deceased individuals.”
The victims were identified by loved ones as Vaughn Porter, 54, and his girlfriend, Jaime Redford Rust, 52, both of Utah, according to NBC affiliate KSL-TV. Porter, a JetBlue pilot with more than 30 years of flying experience, was flying the plane, according to the outlet.
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Vaughn Porter.
Gofundme
Porter’s family said they were “devastated” by the death of their father, who began dating Rust after their mother died of COVID-19 in January 2022, according to KHL-TV.
“I feel like we’re all grieving her loss as much as my dad,” Porter’s son Kyle said. “We care about her a lot. She took great care of us.”
The family went on to say that in the 90s, Porter’s father also died in a plane crash.
“He crashed into the mountain with it, and my dad bought the same type of plane to honor his father,” Kyle said. “That’s the plane he crashed with as well.”
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The GoFundMe was started by Vaughn’s other son, Shaun. Funds raised will cover Vaughn’s funeral expenses, as well as his transportation from California to Utah so he can be buried next to his late wife.
“After we lost our mom unexpectedly last year, our dad has done an amazing job of filling the gaping hole left in our family without her,” Shaun wrote. “Despite this incomprehensible tragedy, he remained positive, always looking for ways to bring joy and togetherness into our lives. He was the heart of our family, and now we are completely lost without him.”
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Jaime Redford Rust.
Jaime Redford Rust/ Facebook
A separate GoFundMe has also been started for Rust, who leaves behind three children and grandchildren, according to the fundraising page.
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“We are deeply saddened to share the devastating news of Jaime’s untimely death in a tragic plane crash alongside her boyfriend,” a message on the page read. “As her family grieves this unimaginable loss, they are faced with the enormous burden of funeral costs… Let’s come together to honor Jaime’s memory and help her children through this challenging time.”
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The NTSB told PEOPLE that investigators will collect information and records including recordings of all air traffic control communications; weather reports; pilot background; witness statements; aircraft maintenance records; and a pilot’s license.
PEOPLE has reached out to the GoFundMe organizers for additional information.
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