According to a GoFundMe page set up to help raise funds to mount the search for a missing woman and her fiancee/husband who are known to have flown to the Bahamas have been missing since September 26 and are feared missing at sea.
The woman, Donna Grant, is from Tahlequah.
Grant and her partner Forest Sanco departed Florida September and flew to Freeport in the Bahamas flying in a single-engine Cessna. The couple left Texas on September 22 and made fuel stops in Alabama and Florida before departing for the islands three days later.
They arrived in Freeport, Bahamas on September 26 and flew to another island, North Eleuthera, 26, to refuel later that same day.
The couple were planning on flying to Rum Cay, approximately 120 miles away from North Eleuthera, but never made it. That afternoon at 4:58 p.m.Sanco “closed his flight plan” indicating he was near Rum Cay and in a position to say his flight was a success up to that point.
Because the couple was thought to be on their honeymoon, hey were not reported missing until ten days later after they failed to return to the states on the planned date. It is unknown if the two married before leaving or if they planned to marry in the Bahamas.
Earlier this week, fishermen found a wheel, which investigators say matches what Forrest and Donna would have used. However, officials have not confirmed whether the wheel is from their plane.
The family has now hired their own private search plane and crew.
Family members posted the following information on the GoFundMe page on
“Forrest and Donna left for their honeymoon in the Bahamas. Last contact with them was September 26th when they landed for fuel in North Eleuthra, Bahamas. They never made it to their next destination. Due to lack of resources with the Bahamian government and coast guard, we have been forced to hire our own private search crews and pilots. This has been costly and could continue to be as we need to search until we find something. Everything we raise will go to our efforts to bring them home whatever it takes! Whether it be continuing to hire private crews, medical expenses, or costs involved in trying to get them back home to us. If there are any funds left over at the conclusion the funds will be split between a Maritime Search and Rescue fund in the hopes no other family will have to bear this burden.”
The GoFundMe page can be accessed HERE.
