A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the faith-based community after a Christian missionary father and his daughter lost their lives in a plane crash while on a humanitarian mission to Jamaica. The victims, identified as 53-year-old Alexander Wurm and his 22-year-old daughter, Serena Wurm, were part of a hurricane relief effort when their small aircraft went down Monday morning in Coral Springs, a residential area near Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

According to officials, the Beechcraft King Air aircraft crashed into a pond in a quiet neighborhood shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport around 10:14 a.m. The impact narrowly missed nearby homes. Emergency responders from local police and fire departments arrived at the scene within minutes, but both victims were pronounced dead at the site. As of Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed that no additional casualties were reported.

The pair were members of Ignite the Fire, a Christian ministry founded by Alexander Wurm that focuses on empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean. The organization confirmed the tragic loss in a public statement, describing Alexander and Serena as “servants of faith and compassion” who dedicated their lives to helping others. “Their final journey together exemplified selflessness and bravery,” the ministry wrote. “Their legacy will continue to live on in the countless lives they touched.”

Investigators say the father and daughter were on a humanitarian relief flight to Jamaica, carrying much-needed supplies for victims of Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 storm that struck the island on October 28. The hurricane, tied as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in recorded history, also caused widespread destruction across Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, leaving thousands displaced and communities desperate for aid.

The Coral Springs neighborhood where the crash occurred remains deeply affected by the tragedy. Residents expressed both shock and gratitude that the aircraft avoided striking nearby homes. “It could have been much worse,” one witness said. “They gave their lives helping others — that’s something truly powerful.”

As investigators continue examining the cause of the crash, the Wurm family’s sacrifice stands as a moving testament to faith and service. Their mission — to bring hope and relief to those suffering — ended far too soon, but their spirit of compassion endures. The Ignite the Fire organization has vowed to continue their work in honor of Alexander and Serena’s memory.