Father and Daughter Killed in Florida Plane Crash Were on Humanitarian Mission to Jamaica
A Florida community is mourning the tragic loss of a father and daughter who were killed on Monday when their small aircraft crashed into a canal in Coral Springs. The two were en route to Jamaica on a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering hurricane relief supplies, according to their ministry.
Authorities identified the victims as Alexander Wurm, 53, and his 22-year-old daughter, Serena Wurm. The pair were part of Ignite the Fire Ministry, a faith-based organization committed to global outreach and disaster assistance. Their plane, a twin-engine aircraft, went down just minutes after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, crashing into a waterway near a residential neighborhood.
Local residents described hearing a loud explosion and seeing plumes of smoke rising above the canal. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but the impact left no chance of survival for those on board. “It was heartbreaking,” said one neighbor. “They were coming to help others, and then this happened right here in our backyard.”
A Life of Service and Compassion
In a statement released Monday night, Ignite the Fire Ministry paid tribute to the Wurms, describing Alexander as a man whose compassion and generosity reached far beyond his Florida home.
“Alexander Wurm was known for his warmth and unwavering kindness,” the statement read. “He devoted his life to serving others. Throughout his years, Alex traveled across nations and continents, tirelessly bringing faith, compassion, and support to those in need. His legacy of love has touched countless lives.”
Friends and fellow missionaries said Alexander’s commitment to helping others was rooted in deep faith and humility. For decades, he participated in relief missions, building schools, delivering food and medical supplies, and offering emotional support to struggling communities around the world.
“Alex believed that true faith was demonstrated through action,” said a fellow volunteer from the ministry. “He didn’t just preach kindness — he lived it every day.”
Following in Her Father’s Footsteps
The ministry also honored Serena Wurm, remembering her as a young woman full of promise, compassion, and strength. “Following in her father’s footsteps, Serena was a beacon of empathy and hope,” the statement continued. “She inspired everyone around her with her dedication to humanitarian work.”
Serena had recently graduated from college and had begun taking an active role in her father’s outreach missions. Friends said she was passionate about education and mental health advocacy and dreamed of one day expanding her family’s ministry to reach more young people in need.
“She had her father’s heart,” said one close family friend. “You could see how much she cared about helping others. She and Alex were an incredible team — their final journey together reflected everything they stood for: selflessness, courage, and love.”
A Family in Mourning
The tragedy has left the Wurm family devastated. Alexander leaves behind his wife, Candace, and two children — James, 17, and Christiana, 20 — who are now grappling with the unimaginable loss of both a father and sister.
“Candace is heartbroken,” said a family friend. “Her entire world revolved around her husband and children. They were a close-knit family built on faith, and that bond is what’s going to help them get through this.”
Members of Ignite the Fire Ministry and the Coral Springs community have come together to support the grieving family, offering prayers, meals, and financial aid to help with funeral and travel arrangements. A candlelight vigil is being planned for later this week to honor the lives of Alexander and Serena.
The Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. According to officials, the aircraft went down approximately five minutes after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, while on its way to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Preliminary reports suggest that the pilot may have experienced engine trouble shortly after takeoff, though investigators have not yet determined the exact cause. The wreckage has been recovered from the canal and will undergo a detailed examination.
Residents near the crash site have been cooperating with authorities, sharing videos and eyewitness accounts to assist the investigation. “We saw the plane flying low, and then there was this horrible sound,” said one witness. “It was terrifying — we knew something had gone wrong.”
Remembering a Legacy of Love
In the wake of the tragedy, messages of condolence have poured in from across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Members of the Jamaican faith community expressed deep sorrow, noting that the Wurms were traveling to support hurricane victims who had recently lost homes and livelihoods.
“They were coming to help us rebuild,” said a pastor in Montego Bay who worked with the Wurms on prior missions. “Their hearts were pure. We will honor them by continuing the work they started.”
For those who knew Alexander and Serena, the loss feels both personal and profound. They were a father and daughter united by faith, compassion, and a shared desire to make the world a little better.
As Ignite the Fire Ministry wrote in their statement: “Together, their final journey embodied the truest form of service — a willingness to give everything for the sake of others. Though they are gone, their spirit of love and hope will continue to burn brightly in the hearts of all who knew them.”