The 76-seat Horizon Air turboprop plane took off without authorization at 7:32 p.m. Investigators headed Saturday to the crash site to recover the plane’s data recorders and Russell’s remains as part of a criminal probe, authorities said. The incident, which the FBI’s Seattle office did not consider terrorism, raises questions about airport security. The job of a ground service agent includes directing aircraft for takeoff and gate approach, handling baggage and tidying and de-icing planes, authorities said. Russell, a Horizon Air ground service agent for three and a half years, was the only person aboard the plane, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said.

He was right in saying that there are so many people who have loved him.” Referring to audio recordings of Russell talking to air traffic control during his hour-long flight, the statement said his “intent was not to harm anyone.

The statement said Russell, 29, was “a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend.” “We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now.” “This is a complete shock to us,” the family said in a statement Saturday night. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are “stunned and heartbroken” after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and was killed when he crashed 25 miles away.

Seatac hijack audio