‘Dance Moms’ Star’s Beloved Father Is Among the D.C. Plane Crash Victims

One of the people who passed away in the tragic airplane crash in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, was reportedly Ian Epstein, the father of Dance Moms: Miami star Hannah Epstein.

Hannah's mother Debi, who also appeared on the show, revealed the news on Facebook, sharing a photo of Ian and a message to friends and family.

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Debi wrote, "It is with a very heavy heart and extreme sadness that myself along with our children Hannah Epstein and Joanna Epstein and his sister Robbie Epstein Bloom her husband Steven Bloom and nieces Andi and Dani inform you that Ian Epstein was one of the flight attendants on American Airlines Flight 5342 that collided last night when they were landing in DC."

"Please pray for Ian and our family as we travel to DC . We will update when plans are made," she concluded. Many people left notes of condolences and support in the comments on the sad update.

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Debi's sister Kathy Joel Rahtjen wrote in a post on her page, "Tomorrow is not promised" as she asked people to "pray for comfort & healing" for Ian's family. Kathy appears to have since deleted the post, as it's not visible on her account.

Debi and Ian's daughter Hannah, who featured on the dance reality TV series in 2012, has not made a public statement about the personal loss.

She has kept a low profile on social media since the show ended after one season, although her Facebook account states that Hannah is engaged to be married to her partner Josh Rowley. She also graduated from the University of South Florida in 2024.

Parade has reached out to the Epstein family for comment.

The crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport is the deadliest commercial plane crash in the U.S. in over 15 years, per WSOC-TV. There were over 60 passengers and four crew members on the plane and three soldiers on the helicopter.

Next: 'Several Members' of the United States Figure Skating Team Were Onboard American Airlines Flight Involved in Tragic D.C. Crash