March 7, 2017
On February 12, 2017 a single engine plane inbound to Cedar
Key crashed into the Gulf of Mexico approximately 6 miles SSE of the island.
The pilot, Jasper Jerrels, passengers Hue Singletary and Dylan Jerrels
perished. Both Jasper Jerrels and Hue Singletary were found by search crews.
Dylan was not located.
On March 1, 2017 the LCSO, assisted by the Alachua County
Sheriff’s Office dive team, responded near the coordinates where the main
fuselage of the downed aircraft was located. Dan Griffith, owner/operator of
the volunteer organization Florida Sonar Search Team, located debris and
requested divers take a closer look to identify the objects. ACSO dive team
members located personal effects and bone fragments at this location. The bone
fragments have been examined by the Medical Examiner’s Office and verified as
human bone. Based upon the location where they were found and type of bone, it
is believed these are the remains of Dylan Jerrels. Additional DNA testing will
be conducted to positively confirm this.
Sheriff McCallum vowed to continue the search for Dylan
until he was located. He said, “I know this family personally and can
understand the pain this family has to endure. I will continue this search
until we can offer closure to Dylan’s family.” Search crews are scheduled to
conduct additional searches in this same location later this week.
Sheriff McCallum also expressed his thanks to all the
agencies, other Sheriff’s Offices and all volunteers that have aided us in this
search, especially Mr. Griffith. Their assistance has been remarkable and is
very much appreciated.
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