Dallas

Family of 4 Among Victims of Deadly Addison Plane Crash

A family of four was among the 10 people killed in Sunday's plane crash at Addison Airport, according to a letter released Monday by one of the children's schools.

Two other victims were identified Monday by JLL, a Dallas-based commercial real estate company, in an email to employees. Late Monday afternoon, the Dallas County Medical Examiner's office identified another victim.

John Paul II High School in Plano sent a letter to families that said one of its students and her brother, mother and stepfather were on board the twin-engine Beechcraft BE-350 King Air that crashed into a hangar just after 9 a.m. Sunday.

The school identified Alice Maritato, 15, who was expected to graduate in 2022, as well as her brother Dylan, 13, who would have finished eighth grade at All Saints Catholic School in 2020, as among the 10 dead. The siblings' mother Ornella Ellard and stepfather Brian Ellard, 52, also died in the crash.

The letter said the students are survived by their father, Michele Maritato.

The Catholic Diocese of Dallas released a statement Monday afternoon.

We mourn the loss of ten people in the recent airplane crash at Addison Airport. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family members of those tragically killed. We commend the deceased into the arms of God’s love and mercy. At the same time, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas grieves with the communities of All Saints Catholic School in Dallas and John Paul II High School in Plano as we mourn the deaths of passengers Dylan and Alice Maritato, and their mother and stepfather, Ornella and Brian Ellard. As a community, we are saddened at the tragic loss of all who perished in the crash and offer special prayers for their families. Please join me in praying God will bring strength, grace, and peace to their family members and all those who loved them.

Brian Ellard co-owned Dallas restaurant Mille Lire, which issued a statement Monday.

"We are incredibly saddened by the tragic loss of our co-owner Brian Ellard and family Ornella, Alice and Dylan. Mille Lire was built around the tradition of our family, and as you can imagine, this sudden loss has affected us all. Our doors are still open and we are thankful for the support of our community. We continue to ask for thoughts and prayers for everyone involved."

Steve Thelen, 58, who worked at JLL, and his wife Gina were also among the 10 people who died in the crash, according to an email to employees. The JLL email said Steve had a son and daughter who were not on the plane.

Facebook: Darryl Taylor
Gina, left, and Steve Thelen.

Matthew Palmer, 28, was also killed in the crash. No further information has been released about him at this time.

Matthew-Palmer-Addison-Plane-Crash
Matthew Palmer, 28, as shown in a Facebook photo.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been set for any of the victims.

According to the John Paul II High School letter, mourners are encouraged to attend Mass Wednesday at 9 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas.

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