UPDATED: Bodies of two Virginia brothers recovered from Albemarle Sound after helicopter crash

UPDATED, Thursday 6:30 p.m.: The remains of two Virginia brothers have been recovered from the Albemarle Sound that were onboard a helicopter that crashed near the mouth of the Alligator River Monday night.

According to the Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office, the bodies of John Arant, 35, and Alan Arant, 36, both from Glade Hill, Va., were found Thursday.

Alan Arant was identified as the pilot of the Robinson R44 that went missing Monday evening after not arriving at the Dare County Regional Airport on a flight from the Mecklenburg Brunswick Regional Airport in Broadnax, Virginia.

A backpack with personal belongings was located near the mouth of the Alligator River by a good Samaritan and helicopter debris was discovered near the Lindsay C. Warren Bridge over the Alligator River Tuesday morning.

Coast Guard aircraft blanketed the Albemarle Sound near the Alligator River in their search for the missing helicopter crew. [USCG image]

Taking part in the search have been a Coast Guard air and boat crews from Station Elizabeth City, members of the N.C. Marine Patrol, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tyrell County Sheriff’s Department.

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Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.