Loudoun County Families Identified As DC Plane Crash Victims, Vigil Planned

ASHBURN, VA — A family from Ashburn, along with a mother and daughter from Aldie and a coach at the Ashburn Ice House, are among the victims presumed dead in the plane crash near Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.

American Airlines has not yet released names of the 64 passengers and crew who died, but relatives have identified Loudoun County victims to media outlets.

Among the passengers were Brielle Beyer, a 12-year-old figure skater, and her mother, Justyna Beyer, of Aldie. Andy Beyer, the father and husband of the victims, confirmed to ABC News that the two were on the flight and were leaving the national development camp held alongside the U.S. championship in Wichita, Kansas. The family also has a 6-year-old son who was not on the flight.

Brielle Beyer's father called her a "fighter in everything she did," noting she overcame cancer as a baby.

"She was so proud of herself in figure skating for the progress she had made," Andy Beyer told ABC News. "Making that team was one of her life goals."

"Brielle was a bright light, carried a charming smile, and was known for her endless commitment to achieving goals. She had dreams as big as the sky, with a passion for figure skating," said a GoFundMe site launched to help pay funeral expenses and other costs. Justyna, a devoted mother, exhibited unconditional love and support towards her two children and loving husband. She sacrificed so much to provide for Brielle's future as an Olympic figure skater.

A meal train and GoFundMe fundraiser have been started for the Beyer family.

The Livingston family of Ashburn was on the American Airlines flight as well, relatives confirmed to the WJAC television station. Parents Donna Smojice Livingston and Peter Livingston and their 14-year-old daughter Everly and 11-year-old daughter Alydia were returning from the national development camp.

The two sisters documented their figure skating journeys on their Ice Skating Sisters Instagram account. As The Burn reported, the girls' father would make them an ice skating rink outside their Ashburn home during the winter.

Another Loudoun County-connected victim of the plane crash was coach Inna Volanskaya, Rep. Suhas Subramanyan (D-Loudoun) shared on Thursday. Volanskaya competed as a figure skater for the Soviet Union, according to Reuters. She was affiliated with the Washington Figure Skating Club and coached at Ashburn Ice House. According to the club's website, she was credited with coaching figure skaters to win medals on the regional, sectional and national levels.

Her ex-husband, Ross Lansel, who coaches at Skate Quest in Reston, told News4 in DC that Volanskaya "was one of the best skaters" and made a strong impact on athletes she coached.

"Just knowing the impact she made to all the skaters and everyone just hurts my soul and just I wish all those kids that she taught, just my condolences and I wish them — all my prayers go out to them," Lansel told the news station.

A vigil to remember the victims is being at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 Ion International Training Center in Leesburg. The Stronger Together: A Community Gathering for Healing will provide "a space for reflection, connection, and healing" while honoring the lives lost, according to the event description. Grief counselors will be on site.

The Washington Figure Skating Club and Skating Club of Northern Virginia said in a statement the deadly crash "has shaken the local skating community" in the District, Virginia and Maryland community plus Boston and across the U.S.

Loudoun County Public Schools had released a statement Thursday indicating multiple victims were former students of the school district. The school district did not disclose the victims' identities.

"We extend our deepest condolences to all those grieving in the wake of this tragedy," said Superintendent Aaron Spence in a statement. "Loss of this magnitude can bring a wave of emotions. Please know that you are not alone. We are here to support you, and we will navigate this difficult time together."

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall offered condolences to those impacted by those lost in the Loudoun County community.

"On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and residents of Loudoun County, I offer heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families and loved ones of flight 5342, said Randall in a statement. "We thank the first responders from Loudoun and across the Washington metro area for the heroic acts during this tragic incident."

"I join Chair Randall in expressing my most heartfelt condolences to the families of those lost in this tragedy, some of whom live here in Loudoun," added Vice Chair and Ashburn District Supervisor Michael Turner. "Our entire community stands with them in this painful hour."

LCPS offered mental health professional services for students and families by contacting SMHSleadershipteam@lcps.org with a contact number. Staff may use the school district's AllOne Health Employee Assistance.

President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that there were no survivors — 60 passengers and four crew members were on the American Eagle Flight 5342, and three crew members were on the UH-60 Blackhawk military helicopter.

SEE ALSO:

• DC Plane Crash Updates: Black Boxes Found, Search For Victims Continue
• Olympians, Students Among DC Plane Crash Victims