Kenya Helicopter Crash: Ecuador Intelligence Chief Michele Sensi-Contugi, José Alberto Suárez, Roger Duarte and Others Killed in Tragic Accident
Ecuador’s intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, have been killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, along with five other people.
The helicopter crashed in Samburu County at about 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT) on Wednesday, killing all seven people on board, according to Kenyan authorities. A US State Department spokesperson said the other five victims were American nationals.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the Eurocopter EC130 B4 was operating a scenic flight from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro, a river that runs alongside several national reserves.
The crash occurred on Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark in Samburu County, a popular tourist destination known for its private wildlife conservancies and dramatic landscapes.
Images from the scene showed smoke rising from a wooded area as Kenya Red Cross personnel approached the wreckage, which was still burning.
Sensi-Contugi, 44, was appointed director general of Ecuador’s Strategic Intelligence Center in 2024. Ecuadorian authorities have not released further details about his death, but the president’s office led tributes, expressing sorrow over the loss of the intelligence chief.
Former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso also confirmed Sensi-Contugi’s death in the crash.
Lady Lori Helicopters, which operated the aircraft, said it was “deeply saddened” by the accident and offered condolences to the victims’ families and others affected.
One of the American victims has been identified as NBCUniversal journalist José Alberto Suárez, according to a memo seen by the BBC’s US partner, CBS News. NBCUniversal described Suárez as a respected leader, colleague and mentor.
Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte was also among those killed, according to local and US media reports.
US Representative Carlos Antonio Gimenez paid tribute to the victims on X, saying his thoughts and prayers were with their families.
The identities of the four other American victims have not yet been released.
Initial reports said the helicopter was carrying six tourists and a pilot when it crashed.
Helicopter accidents have occurred in Kenya several times in recent years.
In February, six people, including a member of parliament, were killed when a helicopter crashed in Nandi County in the Rift Valley.
In 2024, Kenya’s military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, died when an army helicopter carrying 11 people crashed in western Kenya. Two people survived.
At least 10 soldiers were killed in June 2021 when a military helicopter crashed while attempting to land near Nairobi.
