Gold’s Gym owner and 5 others feared dead after plane crash off the coast of Costa Rica
A private plane carrying high-powered investors, several lawyers and a bodyguard for billionaire Richard Uihlein crashed off the coast of Costa Rica Saturday morning.
The plane was heading for a weekend getaway with Uihlein when it was reported missing, leaving several passengers dead and a bystander injured. At least four people are missing, and five are feared dead.
The plane was one of a number of private jet flights booked over the years by Uihlein, who is worth $20.5 billion according to Forbes, making him the 36th richest person in the world.
The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Liberia, Costa Rica’s largest city.
Uihlein, his wife, Julie, and bodyguard John Paul Richter were on their way to their vacation home in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with three lawyers who were part of a group of six investors.
All six were on the plane with Uihlein. He had his own private jet at the time of the crash, and has been flying to many resorts in Jamaica for his annual summer vacation.
Uihlein and his wife also have residences in Montego Bay.
Uihlein, who is a major philanthropist when not on the road with his jet, was not on the plane when it crashed shortly after taking off from the beachfront area of Liberia.
Uihlein is a major philanthropist and is known for flying his private jet whenever possible and for giving vast amounts of money to a variety of charities and organizations.
His other charities have included $100 million to the University of California at Los Angeles’ School of Law, $200 million to an Alzheimer’s disease research foundation, $50 million to the University of Michigan’s Kellogg-Briand Center for Science and International Affairs and millions more to other universities and charities.
