KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Candlelight Vigil for Clovis Sisters, Dad killed in Plane Crash

Candlelight Vigil for Clovis Sisters, Dad killed in Plane Crash

By Norma Yuriar

Clovis, Calif.  (KMPH News) - They walked and walked many arm and arm from Clovis High where 15-year old Kaitlyn Hook went to school all the way to the home of where she lived with her sisters, 12-year old Rachel and 9-year old Mackenzie.

The three girls and their father, a Navy Pilot, where killed Friday in a small plane crash in Nevada.  Their mother Brenda Hook broke down in tears when hundreds of students and friends showed up at her door to pay their respects Monday.

"It so great to see everyone out here and they are sharing stories of how much they loved them and it's so nice and wonderful and helpful to me and my heart," said Brenda Hook.

Overwhelmed by grief and the show of support, Brenda hugged every person who showed up.   More than a hundred people stood outside the Clovis home where the girls lived with their mom and step-dad.

"They always say it takes a village to raise a family and this is definitely a village that has helped raise my family," said Brenda.

Friends are dealing with their sadness by burning candles in their memory.

"Mackenzie, Rachel and Kaitlyn had so many friends, they were straight A students, they were athletes, they were popular girls," said family friend John Andrade.

13-year old Shantel Kelley says she will miss her friend Rachel, "we were so close to each other.  I just hope that it brings families closer together and that they treat people like it's their last day of their life forever."

For Kaitlyn, Rachel and Mackenzie their last day with family was Friday.  The girls left Clovis to spend their Memorial Day weekend with their dad in Nevada.  Their father Luther Hook III, executive officer at Naval Air Station Fallon was piloting the plane when it crashed before reaching the Fallon Municipal Airport.

Brenda says she can not comprehend the loss of the girls and her ex-husband.

"I wish they were still here with me," she said.

A memorial service for Cmdr. Hook is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in Fallon at the Naval Air Station.  A specific date for a Clovis memorial has not been set.  Federal Investigators say they are still trying to determine the cause of the crash.