Seven people, including Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara and her husband Joe Lara, are presumed to have died in Saturday’s crash of a small jet into a Tennessee lake, according to officials.
The jet, called Cessna 501, was carrying seven people when it crashed into Percy Priest Lake in Smyrna shortly after taking off from the Smyrna airport, the officials said.
Apart from Gwen and Joe, Gwen’s son-in-law, Brandon Hannah, and married couples Jennifer and David Martin, and Jessica and Jonathan Walters, were on board, a spokesperson for the Rutherford County government said in a news release.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, according to CNN.
Gwen was the founder and spiritual leader of Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood, south of Nashville. Her husband, Joe, was best known for playing the lead role in the TV series “Tarzan: The Epic Adventures,” which ran between 1996 and 1997.
Gwen created the Weigh Down Diet, which encouraged people to strengthen their faith in God to lose weight.
Her daughter, Elizabeth Hannah, remembered her mother and husband in a statement released by the county. She said, “The seven Remnant Fellowship Leaders lost yesterday, including my husband and my mother, were some of the finest, most righteous and loving people I have ever known.”
“I want the entire world to know that my mother, Gwen Shamblin Lara, was the kindest, most gentle, selfless, loving mother and best friend to me and my brother.” She added. “Her actions and words changed thousands of lives for the better — and her message of “Loving GOD with ALL your heart” — will live on forever and ever — and continue to change lives for all eternity.”
Hannah added, “My beloved husband, Brandon Hannah, took on this message of love for God first — and he truly was one of the most selfless and loving spouses and fathers on the planet.”
Gwen’s son, Michael Shamblin, thanked all the first responders and law enforcement who worked at the crash site. He said, “My family is just asking for prayers at this time and we hope everyone who was affected, especially the children of the other passengers know that they are very loved and we hope to take special care of their needs in these coming years.”
The jet was bound for Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport when it crashed, according to Rutherford County spokesperson Ashley McDonald. The officials said Sunday that dive teams recovered several components of the plane and human remains from the lake.
