Watch CBS News

Sheriff's deputy killed as plane crashes into Calif. mountain

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. -- A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy was identified Sunday as one of two people killed when a small plane crashed into a Southern California mountain.

The bodies of Rebecca Joan Raymond, 28, and an unidentified man were found Sunday morning after searchers found a downed plane in a remote part of Big Bear Mountain, about 95 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the sheriff's department said in a statement.

Raymond was a San Bernardino County deputy sheriff assigned to the Barstow station, CBS Los Angeles reported.  

A helicopter crew had been looking for the pair after authorities received a call Saturday that they didn't reach their destination at Apple Valley Airport.

The two were aboard a Cessna 172 Skyhawk that had taken off from Big Bear City Airport and crashed under unknown circumstances, FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said.

"It's a tragic and sad day for all of us," the department said. "May God watch over her parents."

The man's name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. A friend told KABC-TV he was Raymond's boyfriend.

Debbie Payne told the station the couple had rented a plane for the weekend to go to Big Bear to celebrate their anniversary, and he had proposed to her.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.