Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s son, Zachary (back left), daughter-in-law Kelsey and two of their three children were killed late Wednesday in a helicopter crash. Photo courtesy Darren Bailey/X
Four members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family were killed in a helicopter crash Wednesday night in southeastern Montana.
The crash, in Ekalaka, Mont., took the lives of Bailey’s son, Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey and two of his three grandchildren, Vada Rose, who was 12 years old, and Samuel, who was seven years old, Bailey’s campaign said in a statement on X.
Zachary and Kelsey’s 10-year-old son, Finn, was not on the Robinson Helicopters R66 when it crashed, according to the campaign.
Statement from the Darren Bailey / Aaron Del Mar Campaign
On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear. Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7,… pic.twitter.com/AKKhumqHzs— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) October 23, 2025
Aaron Del Mar, Bailey’s running mate in the race, told WGN 9-Chicago that the sheriff in Ekalaka called him around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday night about the crash.
“As you can imagine, it’s just been a devastating time for the whole family and our campaign, as well,” Del Mar said, adding that “we were frantically looking for
Bailey, a Republican former state senator and representative, is running against current Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for governor in the 2026 election after losing to Pritzker for the office in 2022.
The National Transportation Safety Board said early Thursday in a post on X that it is investigating the crash, for which few details are so far known.
“On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news that no parent wants to hear,” his campaign said in the statement.
“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss,” the statement said. “They are finding comfort in their faith, their family and the prayers of so many who love and care for them.”
