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Family remembers Huntersville siblings killed in Tenn. helicopter crash

By Elsa Gillis
By Elsa Gillis

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Five people were killed in a helicopter tour crash Monday in Tennessee, and Channel 9 learned three of the victims were from the Charlotte area.

Mike Rasmussen is the uncle of 22-year-old Peyton Rasmussen and 18-year-old Parker Rasmussen, who both lost their lives in the crash. He opened up to Channel 9 as his brother, and the rest of his family, deal with the unimaginable loss.

"He (his brother Scott) pointed to a pair of tennis shoes on the floor and said, ‘Those are my son's favorite tennis shoes. He's never gonna wear them again,’” said Rasmussen.

"I believe they passed away doing what they loved to do. They were in the mountains, they were enjoying each other as a brother and a sister,” he told Channel 9.

Peyton and Parker lived in Huntersville with their father, Scott, but were visiting their mother, Johna Morvant, who lives in Tennessee. Peyton brought along her boyfriend, Michael Mastalez, to meet her mom for the first time.

On Monday, the family decided to take a helicopter tour over the Great Smoky Mountains near Pigeon's Forge.

"All three were so excited to go down there," Rasmussen said. "They were Snapchatting, and texting, and Facebooking everybody saying, ‘Hey, we're thinking about going on this helicopter ride,’ and next thing you know, 24 hours later, they're no longer with us."

Peyton, Parker, and Michael were each just starting new journeys in life. Parker was finishing up his senior year in high school. Peyton was studying to be a medical technician, and Michael was studying at CPCC.

Rasmussen said his niece and nephew were so full of life, such trusting, loving people.

"Not a mean bone in their body, everything was funny. Even if it wasn't funny, it was funny to them. They just loved their life."

As his family moves forward, he said they'll be thinking of the love Peyton and Parker gave to everyone else.

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