Sean Kay, a promising young ice skater, tragically lost his life in a plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025.
Highlights
- Sean Kay and his mother, Julia Kay, are among the 67 people who lost their lives in a mid-air collision on January 29, 2025.
- Kay is survived by his father, Vitali Kay, and his three siblings, Samantha, Skyler, and the youngest.
- Sean Kay’s mother homeschooled him and his siblings and worked as a night nurse.
The tragic mid-air collision on the evening of January 29, 2025, caused the death of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft.
Among them, 14 were U.S. figure skating community members, both athletes and coaches.
Moreover, on airplane flight 5342, a CRJ700 regional jet, Sean Kay was returning from Figure Skating National Camp in Wichita, a few distances away from landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Sean was traveling with his mother, Julia Kay, his skating partner, Angela Yang, her mother, and their coach, Alexandra “Sasha” Kirsanov.
Furthermore, Sean and Angela were members of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club. They had been recognized for their exceptional talent and bright future in the sport.
Similarly, their coach, Kirsanov, was a former professional ice dancer who had represented the U.S., Azerbaijan, and Russia before transitioning to coaching and choreography.
However, the figure skating talent life was cut short, devastating for the family and the community.
The U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware expressed their grief and sent their condolences to the family. She writes,
Delaware experienced a massive loss today. Coach Alexandr Kirsanov and skaters Angela Yang and Sean Kay were returning from a training camp in Wichita, Kansas where they were practicing their love of the sport when tragedy struck. As we grapple with this unfathomable loss, my heart breaks for the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and our community. I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those we lost.
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Father Vitali Kay, Grieving His Wife Julia And Son Sean, Vows To Inspire His Other Children To Honor Their Legacy
Sean Kay was the 11-year-old loving son of his father, Vitali Kay, and his mother, Julia Kay.
Kay was inspired and guided in figure skating by his mother, Julia. She was a night nurse and managed to homeschool her children.
Vitali and Late Julia are parents to four children, including Sean Kay. Along with Sean, his brother, Skyler, is also a young figure skating talent.
In 2023, Sean and Skyler participated in U.S. Figure Skating’s Excel Program, which allows skaters to compete and connect within the skating community.
Their mother, Julia Kay, highlighted the friendships they built through the program. She had stated,
The Excel Program was a great opportunity for Skyler to compete freestyle and have a goal for the season.
Julia Kay
Following her son’s opportunity in the National Camp, Julia accompanied her son. However, they meet a tragic end when they are about to return to their family.
The devastated father, Vitali Kay, appeared on CBS Philadelphia, remembering his wife, Julia, and Sean. Vitali recalled when he was about to call Julia, but it was out of reach. He states,
The Pane was supposed to Land at 9:00 and I called my wife. She didn’t pick up. The only thing I was thinking is, the problem on the airplane mode and she forget to switch it off.
Vitaly Kay
After that, Vitali rushed to Reagan Airport and searched for a plane number and was accompanied by police towards his beloved wife and son.
Sean Kay’s parents, Vitali and Julia, met in college and married after dating for some time. Julia was an energetic woman who was passionate about her work and aims.
Moreover, all the kids of Kay’s family compete on the Ice. As Vitali mentioned in CBS Philadelphia news, he will guide his three children to follow mother Julia’s principles. He says,
I had to deliver the news to them, right? SO that was the phrase that I told them. Like, hey like Julia would want you to do this, To Stake.
Vitaly Kay
Additional Information
As mentioned online, Sean Kay’s father, Vitali Kay, is of Eastern European descent.
Sean followed his older sister, Samanta Kay, in figure Skating and soon followed in ranks and skills.
