Hotel Execs Perished In Helicopter Crash: Newport Beach
A Newport Beach man has perished, along with 2 other victims in the fatal helicopter crash. All were connected to The Standard hotel chain.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Though officials still do not know what caused a sight-seeing helicopter to crash one mile away from the John Wayne Airport, three individuals were identified who perished in that collision. Federal investigators will continue what will be a months-long effort to determine what caused the aircraft to come down.
The people who died were identified as Brian R. Reichelt, 56, of Hollywood, Florida; Joseph Anthony Tena, 60, of Newport Beach; and Kimberly Lynne Watzman, 45, of Santa Monica. All were connected to the luxury hotel chain, The Standard, with Tena having a financial stake in the hotels. Waltzman, was the general manager of The Standard hotel in West Hollywood.
"It was an honor to be her brother for my 40 years," Watzman's brother, Ryan, told NBC4. "… I plan on doing my best to honor her and find out what happened."
Ryan Watzman told the station his sister dropped off her dog, Harley, at their parents' house in Marina del Rey Tuesday morning, telling them she was taking a day trip to Catalina Island.
Amar Lalvani, CEO of Standard International, issued a statement saying, "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friends. Our focus now is on supporting their loved ones and our team during this difficult time."
https://patch.com/california/newportbeach/three-identified-fatal-helicopter-crash-newport-beach