A Devastating Loss for Ecuador's Government
The Eurocopter EC130 B4, with registration 5Y-GYM, operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, crashed in a rocky and steep area of Mount Ololokwe, in Samburu County, Kenya, on August 19, 2026. The aircraft was traveling from the Loisaba Nature Reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro area—a popular tourist safari destination—when it went down at 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT).
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), rescue efforts were hindered by the challenging terrain and a fire that broke out at the impact site. Videos on social media showed a column of black smoke rising from the base of the mountain. A source close to the investigation told AFP: "I can confirm there are no survivors."
Who Was Michele Sensi-Contugi?
Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza, 44, served as the Director of the National Intelligence Center (CNI) since January 2024. He was a close confidant of Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and briefly held the position of Minister of Government for a few months. Born to an Italian father and an Ecuadorian mother, he was also a successful textile entrepreneur before entering politics.
His death marks a significant blow to the administration at a time when Ecuador faces one of its worst security crises, with rising organized crime and violence.
His wife, Stephany Hollihan Vásconez, 42, was a renowned fashion designer and a personal friend of the First Lady, Lavinia Valbonesi. Hollihan, who held dual Ecuadorian and American citizenship, often had her designs worn by Valbonesi.
The Victims of the Crash
| Name | Age | Nationality | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michele Sensi-Contugi | 44 | Ecuadorian | Director of Ecuador's CNI |
| Stephany Hollihan | 42 | Ecuadorian-American | Fashion Designer |
| José Alberto Suárez | 55 | American | President & GM, Telemundo Florida stations |
| Roger Duarte | 42 | American | Miami Businessman |
| Three additional American nationals, not yet publicly identified. | |||
The U.S. Department of State confirmed that five American citizens were among the deceased and that the U.S. Embassy in Kenya is in contact with local authorities, providing consular assistance to families.
A Tribute from Telemundo
Among the victims was José Alberto Suárez, 55, who served as the president and general manager of three Telemundo stations in Florida: Orlando (Telemundo 31), Tampa (Telemundo 49), and Fort Myers-Naples (WWDT). He had been leading these stations since 2024, after a career spanning more than 25 years in media, including roles in Sacramento, Las Vegas, Fresno, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio.
NBCUniversal News Group's chairman, César Conde, paid tribute, saying, "José was a mentor to many, with an impact that extended far beyond the stations he managed."
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is being conducted by the Accident Investigation Department (AAID) of Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined. Investigators will likely analyze weather conditions, the aircraft's history, and its technical state.
In response, Tropic Air Kenya, a local safari operator, said it dispatched two helicopters to assist in search operations, while the Kenya Red Cross deployed emergency teams to reach the accident site.
Reactions from Ecuador and the Region
Ecuador's Vice President María José Pinto wrote on X (Twitter): "Today is a very sad and painful day. There are moments when words are not enough to understand or explain such an unexpected loss."
Minister Roberto Luque lamented, "Today, Michele and Stephany left too soon. I think of their families—especially their children and parents."
Late in the afternoon, President Daniel Noboa issued an executive decree appointing Luis Carlos Ávila Chávez as the new acting Director General of the National Intelligence Center, citing Sensi-Contugi's "vocation for public service, dedication, loyalty, and commitment."
Ecuador mourns the loss of a key strategic operator in its fight against organized crime, during one of the country's most challenging security crises in its modern history.