Additional Coverage:
- TV anchor in tears talking with man who lost wife and daughter in American Airlines crash (themirror.com)
A news anchor was brought to tears during a recent interview with a grieving father who lost his wife and daughter in last week’s plane crash. Anchor Kaitlan Collins spoke with Andy Beyer on her show about his 12-year-old daughter, Brielle, and 42-year-old wife, Justyna.
They were among the 67 victims. All remains have been recovered from the Potomac River, and the cause of the crash between the plane and a military helicopter is still being investigated.
During the emotional interview, Beyer described fluctuating between intense sadness and numbness. He explained his desire to speak publicly, saying his wife and daughter deserved to be remembered.
He wanted the world to know their story so their memory would live on. His words visibly moved Collins, who paused the interview briefly to compose herself.
Beyer shared the heartbreaking details of waiting for his family at the airport. He and his six-year-old son were texting with Brielle and Justyna just before the crash.
He realized something was wrong when the texts stopped delivering and emergency vehicles began rushing by. His son cried out “No!”
when they received confirmation of the tragedy.
Beyer remembered Brielle as “a joy and a gift,” recalling her battle with cancer as an infant. He described Justyna as his soulmate and a wonderful mother. Collins offered her condolences and assured him that people were thinking of him and his son.
Collins later shared the interview and a link to a fundraiser for the Beyer family on social media. The fundraiser describes Brielle as a bright, passionate young skater with big dreams.
It portrays Justyna as a devoted mother who sacrificed greatly for her children, especially to support Brielle’s figure skating aspirations. The fund aims to help the father and son navigate their lives after this devastating loss.
Donations have already poured in to support the family.