The Florida home of a couple who died in a helicopter crash in Kenya was raided days after the tragic accident, with thieves making off with luxury vehicles, valuable artwork, jewelry and personal belongings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Henry Parra, 55, and Adam Hlavaty, 42, were among seven people killed when a helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, northern Kenya, on August 19.
The couple, who lived in Coral Gables, Florida, died alongside several other travelers with ties to South Florida.
According to investigators, the burglary took place between August 20 and August 22, less than a week after the tragedy.
Police said the intruders entered the couple’s home and made away with personal and business documents, electronics, jewelry and artwork, as well as two luxury vehicles, a 2023 Range Rover and a 2020 Porsche Taycan.
Police said location data from a stolen Apple MacBook and one of the missing vehicles helped detectives track the stolen property to a residence in the Miami-Dade area.
Officers subsequently executed a search warrant and recovered several items believed to have been stolen from the victims’ home.
Recovery of Stolen Property
Investigators arrested Geybert Alexander Garcia, 40, and Melany Perdomo, 24, in connection with the burglary.
Also Read: Thousands of Kenyans Face Uncertainty as Trump Halts Immigrant Visa Processing
They alleged that the pair had removed numerous items from the home while the victims’ relatives and friends were still mourning their deaths.
During the search, police recovered documents belonging to the couple and located the key fob for the stolen Range Rover.
Officers also found several pieces of valuable artwork allegedly taken from the residence.
Among the recovered items was a sculpture valued at more than $500,000, according to police reports cited by local media.
Investigators also reported finding materials and equipment they say are consistent with the production or alteration of identification documents.
Helicopter Crash Tragedy Followed by Crime
The case has drawn widespread attention in the United States because of the timing of the alleged burglary.
Investigators believe the home was targeted shortly after news emerged that Parra and Hlavaty had died in the Kenya helicopter crash.
They indicated that Garcia was found hiding in a closet when officers executed the search warrant, while Perdomo was located in an upstairs bedroom.
Detectives took both into custody as they searched the property for stolen items.
Following their arrest, Garcia and Perdomo appeared before a Miami-Dade court, where prosecutors presented details of the case and the items recovered during the investigation.
The pair face charges including burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of a vehicle, and first-degree grand theft involving property valued at more than $100,000.
Prosecutors argued that evidence recovered during the search directly connected the suspects to the alleged crime.
A judge found probable cause for the charges and ordered that the suspects remain in custody as the case proceeds through the court system.
During the hearing, a longtime friend of the victims told the court that the burglary had deepened the pain already being experienced by loved ones following the fatal crash in Kenya.
The helicopter crashed near Kirish at the foot of Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark in Samburu County.
The area is rugged, mountainous, and difficult to access, which complicated rescue and recovery operations.
Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke and flames shortly after impact.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the helicopter was flying from the Loisaba Conservancy area towards the Ewaso Nyiro region when it went down.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
