Father Alexander Wurm & His Daughter Serena Killed In an Aircraft Crash

After their lives were taken as a result of the incident, the father and daughter's loved ones and community are remembering the two with heartfelt tributes.

On November 10, 2025, a tragic plane crash occurred at 10:19 am in Fort Lauderdale. The incident claimed the lives of a father and his daughter, who were in the middle of a relief effort.

Relief Mission Turns Tragic as Plane Plummets Into Water

Authorities confirmed that the small turboprop plane — a Beechcraft King Air — crashed shortly after takeoff, plummeting into a pond within the gated Windsor Bay neighborhood of Coral Springs.

Surveillance footage from nearby residences captured the final moments before the tragedy: a quiet backyard framed by a still pool and lake, abruptly shattered as the aircraft descended rapidly, clipped trees, and slammed into the water.

"We do have a confirmed plane down, it is submerged," a responder was heard reporting over the radio about the crash site, only feet away from surrounding homes.

Local residents, many of whom witnessed the horrifying scene, described what they saw and the terrifying sounds that accompanied the crash. "The next thing we know is it just took a dive and went straight to the ground," one said. Another recalled the moment with disbelief, "I just heard meow, boosh, and a huge crash. At first, I thought it was like a projectile or something."

"I looked up and I saw all this debris in the air, it looked like somebody blew up a building," recounted a different witness.

The impact shattered the aircraft and sent debris flying across the neighborhood — police reportedly discovered one of the plane's tires in a nearby backyard. Despite the devastation, officials confirmed that no bystanders were injured.

"Fortunately, the plane did not strike any houses," a deputy chief from the Coral Springs Fire Department shared. "When it entered the water, it did strike some trees in the backyard of one of the homes and then entered the water there."

Emergency services — including Coral Springs Police, Parkland Fire, and city street crews — responded immediately, securing the area and assisting in ongoing recovery efforts.

Road closures and access restrictions at Creekside Drive, from NW 66th Terrace to NW 53rd Drive, remained in place through November 11 as authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO), began a formal investigation into the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, residents were urged to remain indoors due to lingering fuel fumes, while environmental cleanup crews addressed contamination within the affected waterway.

Victims Identified as Father and Daughter on Relief Trip

The ill-fated flight was part of a hurricane relief mission bound for Jamaica. It was later revealed that the two lives lost belonged to Alexander Wurm and his daughter Serena Wurm, who were dedicated to serving others — a detail that only deepened the community's collective grief.

Alexander was the founder of Ignite the Fire Ministry, and this flight was his second relief trip of the week to deliver aid to Jamaican communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.

"This guy was an actual partner, like somebody that we worked with often, and he mattered. This is what he was passionate about: helping people in the Caribbean, and this guy was saving lives," expressed someone who knew him.

'A Real Friend' and a Spiritual Giant: Tributes Flood In

In the wake of the tragedy, Ignite the Fire released a deeply moving tribute honoring Alexander's life and the legacy he shared with his daughter, Serena. The post, shared on the ministry's official Facebook page, described the devastating loss and reflected on Alexander's unwavering commitment to service, compassion, and faith.

A seasoned evangelist and teacher, he had spent years traveling extensively across the Caribbean and beyond, leading humanitarian efforts and inspiring others through his ministry.

"He wasn't just a man of prayer — he lived it," the post reads, capturing the essence of a man who gave freely of himself and possessed what the organization called an "uncanny ability to break down the most brutal truths into something" that people could comprehend.

Whether in his role as a husband, father, counselor, or mentor, Alexander, who was 53, is remembered as someone who offered others grace and understanding — a rare soul who responded with wisdom and kindness.

Ignite the Fire also shared that his vision for the organization was rooted in empowering youth through missions, fostering leadership, and cultivating a heart for community service. His death, they said, would not mark the end of that mission, but rather reinforce its importance moving forward. Serena, who was 22, had followed closely in her father's footsteps.

Described as "a beacon of empathy and hope," she was celebrated for her selflessness and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Together, father and daughter embodied the ministry's values of courage, service, and love.

The statement concluded, "As we honour their memory, may we continue their legacy of generosity, compassion, and faith. Rest in peace, Alexander and Serena — your light endures in all whose lives you changed."

Alexander leaves behind his wife, Candace Wurm, as well as their two surviving children — 17-year-old James Wurm and 20-year-old Christiana Wurm.

The heartbreaking loss has reverberated far beyond the Coral Springs community, reaching those who knew them deeply through ministry, friendship, and shared purpose.

Among the many heartfelt dedications pouring in, one particularly poignant message came from Erika Melissa Da Silva, a close family friend who shared a deep bond with the Wurms through their church and missionary work in the Cayman Islands.

In a touching Facebook post, Erika expressed the immense grief felt by their local congregation, describing the family's passing as a crushing moment for their tight-knit spiritual circle. Though Alexander was known to many as a ministry partner and mentor, to Erika and her husband Steve, he was something more — "a real friend," she wrote.

He had been one of Steve's closest confidants, someone who stood alongside them through countless life and ministry moments. Erika also remembered Serena with warmth and affection, recalling how quickly the young woman became like family during her time serving as a CIAG intern.

"We shared countless memories together," Erika reflected. As part of her tribute, Erika shared a collection of personal photos — moments of worship, ministry, and laughter that captured Alexander's spirited presence and the genuine joy he brought into every room.

She ended her message with words that spoke to both their pain and their resilience, noting, "We grieve, we hurt, and also we lead in this moment… and care in this moment for everyone and the countless others who felt the same about this family. Lord, help us. We choose to walk tethered with you through it."

Additional Details About the Tragedy

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, emergency crews initially struggled to locate the submerged aircraft. The Beechcraft B-100 King Air had disappeared into the pond so completely that responders could not see it at first.

The plane, purchased by Ignite the Fire Ministry for the express purpose of conducting relief flights, had been a vital part of Alexander's growing outreach work across the Caribbean. Friends and fellow humanitarians were quick to express the profound impact Alexander had made.

"He had a huge vision and heart for the people of the Caribbean nations," shared Sean Malone, CEO of Crisis Response International. "When this hurricane happened, he didn't hesitate. He sprung [sic] into action." Another colleague, Ferrin Cole, recalled Alexander's final moments, saying he had hoped to join them that very day on Tower Hill, distributing water filters alongside Serena.

"A man of unwavering kindness" — that's how friends choose to remember him. And in his final moments, Alexander remained true to that legacy: serving, loving, and giving until the very end.

Final Farewell to a Devoted Father and His Daughter

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Candace, James, Christina, and the entire Wurm family, their friends, community, colleagues, and all who knew and loved them, as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Alexander and Serena.