Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Roger Duarte, a 42-year-old seafood entrepreneur from Miami, was among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya on Wednesday morning. Duarte was one of at least four Americans on board the chartered aircraft when it went down en route to a safari destination.
Florida-based TV executive José Suárez was also identified among the deceased. The helicopter, carrying six tourists and a Kenyan pilot, crashed at 9:13 a.m. in the rugged foothills of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority.
Duarte, who resided in a $2.8 million mansion in Miami with his wife and two young sons, was a self-made millionaire. He transitioned from a career in investment banking at age 24 to found George Stone Crab, an international delivery service for stone crabs from the Florida Keys. His venture earned him a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2016, recognized for becoming the largest distributor of Florida stone crabs to Latin America. He also co-founded Miami-based food businesses My Ceviche and Zuuk Mediterranean Kitchen.
Suárez, the president and general manager of several Telemundo-owned stations in Florida, was remembered by NBCUniversal, which owns Telemundo, as a "visionary leader committed to expanding and growing Telemundo's markets" during his 18-year tenure.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4, owned by local company Lady Lori Helicopters, was operating a charter flight for guests of the travel company &Beyond. Search and rescue operations were initiated by Tropic Air Kenya and the Kenya Red Cross. The area where the crash occurred is known for its wildlife, including leopards and elephants, and is a popular spot for safari tours.
Duarte's father confirmed his son's death, expressing profound devastation and stating that the family was awaiting details from the ongoing investigation.
