Yorba Linda plane crash: 4 victims killed inside home identified
YORBA LINDA, Calif. (KABC) -- Four people who were killed when a small plane crashed into a Yorba Linda home were identified Wednesday.
They were identified as Roy Lee Anderson, 85, of Yorba Linda; Dahlia Marlies Leber Anderson, 68, of Yorba Linda; Stacie Norene Leber, 48, of Corona; and Donald Paul Elliott, 58, of Norco.
MORE: What we know about the NTSB investigation into the Yorba Linda plane crash
Roy and Dahlia were husband and wife, while Stacie was their daughter and Donald was one of their sons-in-law.
All four, including two other family members, were having a Super Bowl party at the residence on Sunday when around 2 p.m., a small twin-engine Cessna smashed into the home on Canyon Drive, causing a massive fire to ignite.
Elliott's wife and his son had escaped from the inferno and suffered burns.
The family released a statement Wednesday after the identities were released.
"We want to thank our extended family and friends who have provided amazing support, kindness and compassion. It takes a village.
"We are grateful to the neighbors and first-responders who put themselves in harm's way in the moments immediately following the crash, as well as the various city and county agencies who have worked so tirelessly since the incident to provide us with assistance and answers.
"We would like to thank the local city fire departments, Orange County Fire Authority, local law enforcement, Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc, Orange County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division, UCI Medical Center, the National Transportation Safety Board, Yorba Linda personnel, and surrounding communities.
"As we deal with the reality that lies ahead, we ask that the news media please respect our privacy during this extremely difficult time."
Authorities said the aircraft had climbed about 7,800 feet before it made a sudden decline toward the ground. Video footage from witnesses showed the plane falling through clouds and then bursting into flames midair.
The pilot, identified as 75-year-old Antonio Pastini, was also killed in the crash.
Pastini was initially identified as a former Chicago police officer, but it was later determined he was carrying false credentials and a badge that was reported lost in 1978.
In another development, a friend of Pastini's said he was close friends with Dennis Hoff, the late owner of the brothel The Bunny Ranch. Pastini's daughter said her father lived in Nevada and was a restaurant owner.
The friend, Charlie Abowd, also said that Pastini often brought up that he was a retired Chicago police officer.
A vigil for the victims will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Glenknoll Elementary School.
The investigation is ongoing.
