‘UNIMAGINABLE LOSS’: Illinois Candidate Darren Bailey’s Family Killed in Montana Helicopter Crash
A tragedy that has stunned both the political world and the American heartland — four members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family were killed in a devastating helicopter crash late Wednesday night in southeastern Montana.
According to a statement from Bailey’s campaign, the victims include Bailey’s son Zach, his daughter-in-law Kelsey, and their two young children, Veda Rose and Samuel. The only surviving grandchild, ten-year-old Finn, was not aboard the aircraft.
In an emotional message released Thursday morning, the Bailey family said they were “heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. There are no words.”
The helicopter, identified as a Robinson R66, went down in a rural field under still-undetermined circumstances. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Early reports indicate that weather conditions in the region may have been unstable, though authorities have not yet confirmed whether that played a role.
NBC News’ Tom Costello reported that the R66 model, powered by a Rolls-Royce engine, has a generally strong safety record, but that this year has seen several unrelated helicopter incidents across the country — including crashes in Alaska, New York, and Utah.
Images from the Montana crash site show the aircraft in an open field, its frame mangled and scorched. Local emergency crews responded quickly, but there were no survivors.
For Darren Bailey — a well-known conservative figure and former U.S. Senator who recently announced another run for governor — the tragedy is deeply personal and profoundly public.
“On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife Cindy received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear,” the campaign said in a written statement. “They have lost their children and two of their beloved grandchildren.”
Messages of sympathy and prayer have poured in from across the political spectrum, with colleagues, state officials, and ordinary citizens expressing grief and solidarity. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a brief statement calling the loss “absolutely devastating.”
As the investigation continues, the Bailey family has asked for privacy and prayers as they navigate the unimaginable — the loss of two generations at once.
In the quiet of a Montana field, the wreckage now stands as a symbol of heartbreak that reaches far beyond politics — a reminder that behind every headline are human lives, fragile and precious.
Authorities say a full NTSB report is expected in the coming weeks, though the cause of the crash may take months to determine. For now, a grieving family and an entire state mourn together — united in sorrow, and in silence.