Missionary father, daughter killed in relief-mission plane crash

Christian missionary Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena Wurm, 22, were killed Monday when their plane, bearing hurricane relief materials bound for Jamaica, crashed in a residential neighborhood in southern Florida.

“Alexander, known for his warmth and unwavering kindness, devoted his life to serving others –both through his actions and by sharing the gospel of Jesus across the globe,” the organization he founded, Ignite the Fire, wrote in a Facebook post. “Serena, following in her father’s footsteps, was a beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work.

“Together, their final journey embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love.” 

The missionary organization is “dedicated to empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean,” according to its website.  

“We aim to cultivate volunteers who are passionate about making a difference, fostering leadership and community involvement,” its mission statement reads. 

After Hurricane Melissa – a category 5 storm – devastated many islands in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, in late October, the Wurms planned to meet “Crisis Response International” in Montego Bay with humanitarian aid, Alexander said Nov. 2 in an Instagram post. 

“Ignite is excited to fly generators, screws, tarps, battery packs, StarLink comm. systems [and other] desperately needed supplies to help rebuild Jamaica tomorrow!” Alexander wrote. 

Shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport at approximately 10:14 a.m. Monday, the Beechcraft King Air plane crashed into a pond in a residential area of Coral Springs – a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, AP News reports. The plane narrowly missed homes, and first responders reached the site within five minutes of the crash. 

Alexander had recently acquired “the older King Air with brand new engines,” for Ignite’s relief missions, he said in his post. 

“I’ve been a pilot since 2005 and I felt that the Ignite ministry should have a missions airplane if it wanted to effectively bless the Caribbean!” Alexander wrote. “It’s a perfect missions aircraft. It can carry a lot and it is a very reliable aircraft. Perfect for the mission to bring relief goods into Montego Bay and the plane is ready just in time!” 

The plane dates to 1976, according to Federal Aviation Administration records, and is owned by International Air Services – a company that offers “trust agreements to non-U.S. citizens” to register with the FAA, AP reports. The plane flew four other trips within the past week to or from Jamaica, according to the website FlightAware. 

In his post announcing his plans to fly, Alexander mentioned team members “pilot Chad Hernandez and Felicia Connor,” though investigators have reported no other deaths or injuries as of Tuesday morning, according to AP. Alexander and his daughter Serena are survived by wife and mother Candance, and children and siblings James (17) and Christiana (20).  

“As we honour their memory, may we continue their legacy of generosity, compassion, and faith,” the post concludes. “Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena – your light endures in all whose lives you changed.”