A tight-knit Arizona community is reeling after a tragic plane crash off the coast of San Diego left six people missing, including a former high school football star. Ayden Bingham, just 21 years old, had once lit up the football field for Thatcher High School. Now, he and his family are at the center of an unthinkable loss.
The small aircraft carrying Ayden, his father Jeremy, and brothers Bailey and Gavin, disappeared into the Pacific Ocean on June 8. They were traveling from San Diego to Phoenix when the plane crashed roughly five miles offshore. Authorities halted search efforts earlier this week, with all six aboard presumed dead, according to reports from local agencies and family statements.
Remembering The Binghams
Ayden wasn’t just a footballer, he was a young man who had inspired a community. During his senior year, he helped lead Thatcher High to the 3A state final, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. Now, friends, teammates, and former coaches mourn a life that once burned bright and ended far too soon.
Family members have spoken out, holding on to faith and memories in the face of heartbreak. “The people we have lost are irreplaceable,” wrote Kailee Bingham, Jeremy’s sister-in-law, in a heartfelt Facebook post. “I know that one day there will be a reunion in my future that will be unlike any others with these boys that have left a hole in my heart.”
REST IN PEACE 🙏 Jeremy Bingham and his three sons, Bailey, Ayden and Gavin, died in a small plane crash on Sunday.
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) June 12, 2025
Stephanie Bingham was tracking her family on a phone app when she noticed something strange. https://t.co/ztOsZaYzhn
📸: Bingham Family pic.twitter.com/hbFf5i3EZS
The crash also claimed the lives of the plane’s pilot, Landon Baldwin, and his wife, Torrie Baldwin, who was reportedly pregnant. The Binghams’ loss leaves behind a grieving family: Stephanie Bingham, Jeremy’s wife; their youngest daughter Kadie; Bailey’s wife, Ashlyn, and their infant son Carter; and Ayden’s fiancée, Camille.
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A GoFundMe launched this week paints a picture of a close family rooted in love and community service. Jeremy was described as a man who always showed up when others needed help. Bailey, a new father, was preparing to celebrate his first Father’s Day. Gavin brought quiet strength and kindness. Ayden, full of energy and life, had just begun building a future with his fiancée.
“This devastating loss has left behind a heartbroken family,” the fundraiser reads. “Please keep this beautiful family in your thoughts and prayers.”
As news spreads, support continues to pour in from across the state, reminding everyone just how much the Bingham family meant to so many.
Also Read: High School Football Star Tragically Shot And Killed At Age 16
