Reveals concerning text message moment
On Wednesday night, an Army helicopter collided with the American Airlines flight carrying Justyna Beyer and her 12-year-old daughter, Brielle, as they returned from Wichita, Kansas. What was meant to be a simple journey home ended in unimaginable loss.
Brielle was a child who shined in every way, her father recalled—not just on the ice as a talented figure skater, but in every moment of her life.
“She could light up a room,” he said. “She simply loved each and every moment of life.”
Her resilience had been evident from the very beginning. At just four months old, Brielle was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. She underwent two surgeries and made a remarkable recovery.
“I was so worried I wasn’t going to get back that bright, bubbly kid,” Beyer said, his voice heavy with emotion. “And it was simply astounding how rapidly she bounced back after that.”
A proud father, he shared a video of Brielle performing a figure skating routine she had choreographed herself—with his help selecting the music. The audience had adored it, he said, a testament to her talent and passion.
On Wednesday night, Beyer had been waiting at Reagan National Airport to welcome his wife and daughter home. When his messages to Justyna went unanswered, dread crept in. Then, he learned the devastating truth.
Justyna, he said, was a mother who devoted herself entirely to creating magical moments for Brielle and their six-year-old son.
“Everything had to be big and beautiful,” he said. “Not out of selfishness—she just wanted it to be special for the kids. And it was. It really was.”
A balloon arch from Brielle’s recent birthday still stands in their home, a painful yet beautiful reminder of Justyna’s love and the effort she put into making every celebration unforgettable.
“It’s difficult because I thought Brielle would be able to carry those wonderful memories into adulthood,” Beyer said tearfully. “She would have looked back and known just how much her mom loved her, how much we all loved her. She just knew how to make everything special. And now, she’s been robbed of that.”
Still, even in his grief, Beyer holds on to gratitude.
“She had so much more in her,” he said. “But I’m glad she had the moments she did.”
Reflecting on his life with Justyna, he struggled to put the pain into words.
“We always dreamed of having a family, of being surrounded by love,” he said. “And we had that. We were in a dream. But now, it’s a nightmare.”
For now, Beyer leans on the love and support of family, friends, and his community. His parents have come to stay with him and his son, offering comfort in the midst of unimaginable loss. In sharing memories of Justyna and Brielle, he finds some solace—keeping their love, their light, and their legacy alive.
