Fourteen lives were tragically lost, and more than a dozen others injured, following a devastating cargo jet crash south of Louisville’s international airport on November 4. A week later, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office officially confirmed the identities of the victims, bringing a sense of closure—albeit painful—to the grieving families.
Among those identified was 45-year-old Angie Anderson, who had just left her job remodeling homes on the day of the crash. She was taking scrap metal to Grade A, one of the businesses struck by the crashing UPS plane. Anderson, who would have celebrated her 46th birthday on November 23, leaves behind four grown children. Her sister, Jessica Rusch, described the week of uncertainty as an agonizing experience for their family. “Until you see it in black and white, it’s not real to you,” Rusch said, reflecting on the agonizing wait for confirmation.
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Another victim, 37-year-old Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, was a beloved employee at Grade A. Her family expressed their profound loss, stating simply, “We’re lost without her.” The grief experienced by her family, like many others, has been deep and immeasurable.
Jefferson County Coroner Jo-Ann Farmer shared the emotional weight of delivering such grim news to families, stating, “If I ever get used to this, and it doesn’t bother me anymore, I’m in the wrong profession.” Her reflections echoed the deep pain that ripples through those who bear witness to such profound loss.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg spoke poignantly about the personal stories behind each of the names. “Stories that will forever be unfinished,” he said, reminding the community to remember the lives, laughter, and love of those lost. “Everyone dies twice. Once when you take your last breath, and again when your name is spoken for the last time,” Greenberg added.
As the community processes this heartbreak, Coroner Farmer offered a bittersweet truth: “The grief will lighten a little bit as time goes on. But the price of love is grief.” The weight of loss will never truly fade, but the memories of those lost in the tragic crash will remain, forever etched in the hearts of their families and the Louisville community.