Mario Lamar and 3 Others Missing in Bahamas After Plane Disappears Near Andros Island

ANDROS ISLAND, BAHAMAS — Authorities in the Bahamas and the United States are searching for four members of a South Florida family after their small aircraft disappeared while traveling from the Bahamas toward South Florida.

The missing family members have been identified as Mario Lamar Sr., 80; his wife, Lili Lamar, 79; and their grandchildren, Sofia Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22.

The family had been returning to South Florida after spending the Labor Day weekend at their home on Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas.

Mario Lamar and Family Missing

According to Bahamian authorities, the aircraft was a Piper PA-34 carrying four people. It departed Great Harbour Cay at approximately 11:12 a.m. Monday, September 7, 2026.

Air traffic controllers subsequently lost contact with the aircraft approximately 13 miles west of Andros Island.

Bahamian police said the aircraft was believed to have gone down in the waters near Red Bays on North Andros. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain under investigation.

Mario Lamar Sr. was the pilot. His family described him as an experienced aviator with more than 40 years of flying experience.

U.S. Coast Guard Joins Bahamas Search

The Royal Bahamian Defense Force requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard after receiving the report of the missing aircraft.

The Coast Guard deployed an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to assist with the search for the plane and its four occupants.

Bahamian authorities and local search-and-rescue personnel were also involved in the effort.

However, poor weather conditions affected the operation and temporarily postponed search efforts.

Officials have continued working to determine the aircraft’s location and locate the four people who were aboard.

Family Makes Urgent Appeal

The Lamar and Sosa families have publicly appealed for assistance as the search continues.

Family members said they became concerned after communication with the travelers stopped and they were unable to confirm the family’s safe arrival in Florida.

Mario and Lili were reportedly returning home after spending the holiday weekend at their longtime vacation property in the Bahamas.

A family statement expressed gratitude to the Bahamian and U.S. authorities involved in the search and asked that every available resource be used to locate the missing aircraft.

Who Is Missing?

The four people aboard the aircraft have been identified as:

Mario Lamar Sr., 80 — The pilot and an experienced aviator with more than four decades of flying experience.

Lili Lamar, 79 — Mario Lamar’s wife.

Sofia Sosa, 28 — One of the couple’s grandchildren.

Christian Sosa, 22 — Their other grandchild.

The family has asked authorities and members of the public in the Bahamas to remain alert for information that could help locate the aircraft.

Search Remains Active

As of the latest available reports, there has been no official confirmation that any of the four missing people have died.

The aircraft is believed to have gone down or crash-landed in waters near Andros Island, but investigators have not publicly established exactly what happened after air traffic control lost contact with the plane.

Search and rescue authorities remain focused on locating the aircraft and determining the whereabouts of Mario Lamar, Lili Lamar, Sofia Sosa and Christian Sosa.

Further information is expected as Bahamian and U.S. authorities continue their search.

Mario Lamar and 3 Others Missing in Bahamas — Details

Disclaimer

This article reports on an active missing-person and search-and-rescue operation. Mario Lamar Sr., Lili Lamar, Sofia Sosa and Christian Sosa have been reported missing after their aircraft lost contact near Andros Island, but their deaths have not been officially confirmed. Details may change as Bahamian and U.S. authorities continue the search and release additional information. This article will be updated when verified developments become available.