A tragic helicopter crash in a remote area of eastern montana has claimed the lives of four members of the family of darren bailey, a prominent illinois republican who previously ran for governor. the incident occurred on the evening of october 22, 2025, near the town of ekalaka.

The carter county sheriff's office confirmed that the victims were bailey's son, zachary bailey; his daughter-in-law, kelsey bailey; and two of their children, 12-year-old vada rose and 7-year-old samuel. a third child of the couple, a 10-year-old boy, was not on board the helicopter.

According to initial reports, the crash involved a robinson r66 single-engine helicopter. the aircraft went down at approximately 7:22 p.m. in remote rangeland about five miles northwest of ekalaka. officials noted that no distress calls were received from the helicopter before the crash.

The national transportation safety board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident, with assistance from the federal aviation administration (FAA). as of october 24, investigators were on the scene, but no preliminary findings or definitive cause have been released to the public.

Darren bailey, a farmer and former state senator from xenia, illinois, was the republican nominee for illinois governor in 2022. in a statement, darren and his wife, cindy, expressed their profound devastation over the loss. they said they are finding solace in their faith and the support of their community during this unimaginably difficult time.

Condolences have been extended from across the political spectrum. illinois governor JB pritzker and the illinois republican party were among those who offered their sympathies to the bailey family. the news has sent shockwaves through their home community in illinois and the small town of ekalaka, montana.