LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – The wife of Hollywood actor Christian Oliver has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic deaths of her husband and their two young daughters in a small plane crash near a private island in the eastern Caribbean. The crash occurred on January 4, 2024, as the single-engine plane they were traveling in experienced engine trouble and fell into the ocean just west of Petit Nevis island near Bequia, while headed for nearby St. Lucia, according to police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The pilot, Robert Sachs, also died in the crash.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Jessica Klepser, Oliver’s widow and a regional manager at Wundabar Pilates in California, paid tribute to her family, describing her daughters, Madita (12) and Annik (10), as vibrant and gentle, excelling in academics, singing, dance, and various forms of art. The family remembered the strong bond, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit shared by Madita and Annik, who will be profoundly missed in their communities.
Wundabar Pilates owner Amy Jordan shared fond memories of the girls and pledged to support Jessica during this difficult time. Louis Armstrong Middle School and Wonderland Ave Elementary School, attended by Madita and Annik, are located in Sherman Oaks and the Hollywood Hills, respectively.
Christian Oliver, known for his roles in films and television, leaves behind a legacy in the entertainment industry and a network of close friends worldwide. A GoFundMe was created by comedian-actress Sarah Silverman to help cover the cost of returning Christian and the girls home, funeral and memorial services, legal expenses, and to support Jessica and the extended family during this terribly difficult time.
The 51-year-old Oliver, an actor in Europe and the US, had dozens of film and television roles, including in the 2008 film “Speed Racer” and “The Good German,” a 2006 World War II film by Steven Soderbergh that starred George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. He also appeared throughout season two of the 1990s series “Saved by the Bell: The New Class.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and authorities have expressed gratitude to the fishermen and divers who responded to the crash site to help. The tragic loss of Oliver and his daughters has deeply affected their family, friends, and the entertainment industry. The memories of Madita and Annik will be cherished and their presence deeply missed.