nanny killed in Learjet crash — Ana María Ramírez Cetina, a 24-year-old Colombian who had built a new life in the United States, was the nanny killed in the Learjet crash near Palm Beach on Sunday. She was caring for the children of Adam Robinson and Helen Sharp, Emma and Charlie, who also died in the accident along with the other passengers and pilots.
A Life Built on Education and Determination
Ramírez Cetina earned a degree in biomedical engineering from ECCI University in Bogotá, according to her sister, Angie Ramírez Cetina, who spoke with Colombia’s Caracol Radio. About two years ago, seeking better opportunities, she moved to the United States with her mother. The two settled in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, while she worked for the family based in Aspen.
Her sister described a difficult job search that did not deter her. Rather than remain idle, Ramírez Cetina found work as a nanny and grew deeply attached to the family she served. “She was very happy with that family,” Angie said.
A Final Call From the Airport
Before boarding the flight, Ramírez Cetina video-called her sister from the airport and sent her a photograph of the plane. Angie had sent her a video of her own son, which Ramírez Cetina promised to watch once she landed. The sisters, by Angie’s account, were inseparable. “Truly, Ana María will always be my other half,” she said.
Mourned by a President and a Family
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella mourned her in a post on X, calling her death premature and expressing sorrow. He offered condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones and asked for strength and comfort for them in what he described as an irreparable loss.
In a joint statement, the victims’ families remembered Ramírez Cetina as a tender and devoted caregiver who had become part of the family. They described her legacy as one of unconditional love and devotion to Emma and Charlie.
A Father's Pride and a Diploma Received in Absence
Her father, Mario Alejandro Ramírez, told Colombia’s La FM radio that they spoke several times a week and that she often shared stories from her travels. He recalled telling her to keep going even though her distance was hard for him, because it was her dream. She would tell him about her journeys, he said, and things were working out for her there.
Ramírez Cetina had moved to the United States before she could collect her university diploma, so her father went to the university to receive it on her behalf. “It was an achievement for her and for me too,” he said.