UPDATE: Four bodies found after Miami family’s small plane went missing off the Bahamas

The search for a small plane carrying a Miami family has ended in tragedy. Bahamian authorities confirmed Tuesday that four bodies were recovered after the aircraft disappeared while flying from Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas toward Miami Executive Airport.

The Piper PA-34, registered N212ML, departed Great Harbour Cay at about 10:12 a.m. Monday. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at approximately 11:04 a.m., when it was about 13 miles west of Andros Island.

Authorities said the aircraft was believed to have crash-landed off the coast of Red Bays, North Andros. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force later confirmed that four bodies had been found, with the remains being transported to the Bahamas.

The victims were identified as pilot Mario Lamar, 80, his wife, Lili Lamar, 79, and their grandchildren, Sofia Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22.

The family had been returning home to Miami after a long-weekend trip. Relatives became concerned after messages to the family stopped being delivered and authorities were contacted.

Mario Lamar’s niece, Silvia Larrieu, said he had more than 40 years of flying experience and was known to be extremely cautious and meticulous about maintaining his aircraft.

The U.S. Coast Guard was called in by Bahamian authorities around 2 p.m. Monday and launched an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to assist with the search.

One of the victims was reportedly located by a relative who joined the search by boat.

The recovery brings a devastating end to the search for the family. Authorities will now focus on recovering the aircraft and determining what caused the fatal crash.

Our thoughts are with the Lamar and Sosa families and everyone who knew and loved them.