Cassa Niedringhaus | The Coloradoan

A Fort Collins family has been identified as the victims of a private plane crash in western Colorado on Friday.

Jeff Makepeace, 47; Jennifer Hickey Makepeace, 45; and their 10-year-old children, Addison and Benjamin, died after their plane crashed about nine miles north of Glenwood Springs.

The family left the Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland for Moab, Utah, according to a statement by the extended family. The family's plane lost radar contact about 10 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.

Low hanging clouds delayed search and rescue efforts from the air, but crews were able to locate the site shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday. They landed a helicopter at the site, where they discovered a large debris field and determined that the entire family had died in the crash. The family dog was on board and died as well, according to the extended family's statement.

The Garfield County Coroner's Office investigation is ongoing, as is the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The coroner, Robert Glassmire, declined to release further information Sunday, but said that new information would likely be available mid-week.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

"Our family's hearts have been broken by this tragic accident," the extended family's statement read, in part. "Our grief cannot be defined and will be prolonged. But our memories of this amazing family will last forever.

"The family would like to thank all of the first responders from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and search-and-rescue crews who braved trying and difficult conditions to reach the crash scene."

Jeff owned Lind's Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins. According to the business's website, he purchased the company from its founder, Robert Lind, in 2006. He was born and raised in Naples, New York. Jennifer was born and raised in Fontana, California.

The children, who were born and raised in Fort Collins, were fourth graders at Bauder Elementary School. They are survived by their grandparents and other extended family members. Services are pending.