Helicopter Crash Kills Four in Illinois Candidate's Family

Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey said his son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey, and two grandchildren, 12‑year‑old Vada Rose and 7‑year‑old Samuel, were killed when a helicopter crashed near Ekalaka in Carter County, southeastern Montana, on Oct. 22. Another grandchild, 10‑year‑old Finn, was not aboard and is safe; reports say Zachary was piloting the aircraft. Investigators, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are probing the crash but have not yet released a cause. Bailey and his wife Cindy are asking for privacy as they grieve and have said the family is finding comfort in faith and community support; Bailey, the 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee who has launched a 2026 campaign, has received widespread condolences.