Fatal Plane Crash: Coroner, Former Springfield Mayor Among Dead

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Three people were killed Tuesday afternoon when a small plane crashed outside Springfield. Authorities in Sangamon County said former Springfield Mayor Frank Edwards, 69, and his wife, current county coroner Cinda Edwards, 63, were among the dead. The third victim was identified as 69-year-old John Evans, 69, of Glenarm.

The Edwards' dog, Lily, was also killed in the crash.

The twin-engine plane crashed in a residential area seven miles south of the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Tuesday afternoon, ABC Chicago reported. A homeowner told WICS-TV in Springfield that the plane crashed in his backyard but did not damage the house or the property.

The plane, a twin-engine Piper Aerostar, was headed to Springfield and had originally taken off from Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport in Florida before stopping to refuel in Huntsville, Alabama. The FAA said the plane had missed an approach and was coming around for a second attempt when it crashed.

According to Sangamon County, Cinda Edwards had been coroner since 2016. She previously worked as a nurse and served as Lincoln Land Community College trustee.

Frank Edwards was elected to the Springfield city council in 2003 and was appointed mayor in 2010 following the death of Mayor Tim Davlin. He served until 2011 and was re-elected to the city council before running unsuccessfully for mayor in 2019.

According to the State Journal-Register, Frank Edwards served for 25 years with the Springfield Fire Department, including 19 months as chief. The couple owned Springfield Auto Body and Towing.