Woman was traveling to Colorado to celebrate 43rd birthday, friends say

An Albuquerque elementary school is mourning one of its teachers after she and her boyfriend died in a plane crash.Search crews were looking for the plane around the clock and found the wreckage Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Colorado’s Archuleta County.Melissa Watson left Moriarty with her boyfriend, Howard Guthrie, this past weekend. After running into bad weather, the plane turned around. Officials said that's when they disappeared.Students and staff came together Wednesday evening to remember Watson, a Valle Vista Elementary math teacher. Watson would have turned 43 on Wednesday. Students and staff lit 43 candles shaped into a heart at the elementary school.The plane will remain in Colorado until the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is complete.Mobile users: Tap for videoKOAT Action 7 News will provide updates as they become available.

An Albuquerque elementary school is mourning one of its teachers after she and her boyfriend died in a plane crash.

Search crews were looking for the plane around the clock and found the wreckage Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Colorado’s Archuleta County.


Melissa Watson left Moriarty with her boyfriend, Howard Guthrie, this past weekend. After running into bad weather, the plane turned around. Officials said that's when they disappeared.

Students and staff came together Wednesday evening to remember Watson, a Valle Vista Elementary math teacher.

Watson would have turned 43 on Wednesday. Students and staff lit 43 candles shaped into a heart at the elementary school.

The plane will remain in Colorado until the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is complete.

Mobile users: Tap for video

KOAT Action 7 News will provide updates as they become available.