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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Haunting last image of millionaire and family before they 'died in private jet crash'

This is the chilling final image of a millionaire and his family before they are believed to have died in a private jet crash.

German millionaire Rainer Schaller, 53, was understood to be on a flight from Mexico to Limon with his girlfriend, Christiane Schikorsky, and their children Aaron and Finja, last night when the plane disappeared off the coast of Costa Rica.

In a tragic final image before their disappearance, the family look happy as they beam into the camera and huddle together.

The founder of McFit, a fitness centre chain in Germany, was also on the Piaggio 180 jet with a man named Marcus Kurreck, who is believed to be a personal trainer.

Costa Rica's public security minister, Jorge Torres, has since said the aircraft that was carrying the five German nationals vanished while on its way to Juan Santamaría airport in the east of the country.

German millionaire Rainer Schaller, 53, was understood to be on a flight from Mexico to Limon with his girlfriend, Christiane Schikorsky, and their children Aaron and Finja (Getty Images)

The plane reportedly lost contact with the airport's control tower at 6pm while it was flying around 20 miles off the coast near the Parismina area, the Sun reports

A McFit spokeswoman has since confirmed Schaller and his family were on the plane, it's been reported.

"We don't know anymore at the moment," Jeanine Minaty told German website BILD.

The private plane took off from Palenque in Mexico two hours and 41 minutes before it lost contact with the control tower near Limon.

And according to FlightRadar, the plane was 69 metres above sea level and flying at a speed of 274mph when it disappeared.

An urgent rescue operation was called off a few hours later due to adverse weather conditions.

Rainer Schaller and Christiane Schikorsky during the 120th Berlin Press Ball in 2020 (Getty Images)
Rainer Schaller and Christiane Schikorsky at the GQ Men of the Year awards in 2019 (Getty Images for GQ Germany)

The National Coast Guard and the Air Surveillance Service then resumed their search today and reportedly found parts of the twin-engine turboprop aircraft in the sea.

Martin Arias, Costa Rica’s assistant security minister, said no bodies had been located yet, as reported by ABC News.

“Pieces have been found that indicate that this is the aircraft,” he said.

“Up to now we have not found any bodies dead or alive.”

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