Autumn Nelon Streetman, the fourth and only surviving member of The Nelons musical group, thanked fans for their prayers as she mourns the loss of her parents, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, and sister, Amber Nelon Kistler, who died in a disastrous plane crash Friday.
“Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” she penned on Instagram Friday.
“We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”
In addition to her three family members, Autumn’s brother-in-law, Nathan, died along with their “dear friends” Melodi Hodges, who was an assistant, and the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa.
The Grammy-nominated gospel group was traveling to perform at the Alaskan Gaither Homecoming Cruise when their private plane hit ground north of Gillette, Wyoming.
The family was documenting their journey to the cruise ship and last posted a video after they landed in Nebraska.
While the exact cause of the crash has not yet been identified, the National Transportation Safety Board told People that it may have occurred due to an “autopilot issue during flight.”
Autumn, who is currently expecting her first child, thanked fans for their support as part of a lengthier message shared by their family’s management group.
“Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman … were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise,” the death announcement revealed.
“Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead.”
The message concluded, “Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.”
The quartet released their latest single, “There’s a Hole In The Heart,” on July 19 and a lyric video for the song debuted just two days before the heartbreaking crash.
The Nelons had shows scheduled through September 2025.
