A prominent Colorado political consultant and an entrepreneur from California were among four Americans and a local pilot killed when their helicopter crashed at a national park in Kenya, authorities and family members said Monday.
Colorado lawmakers paused for a moment of silence at the state Capitol in Denver to remember Kyle Forti, who died in the crash Sunday night at an island on Kenya's Lake Turkana.
Family and friends remembered Forti as an adventurer and loving husband and father, who made friends of all political stripes during several years of work as a Republican communications consultant.
Forti's brother, Josh Forti, said the 29-year-old is the oldest of eight siblings. Forti loved to travel and was visiting friends in Kenya when he died, Josh Forti said.
"Kyle is known for being someone of integrity, someone who searched for truth, provided love and brought people together," Josh Forti said.
"Right now we're grieving. But we trust God and trust that God's in control here. We know Kyle is in paradise."
"I looked up to him like an older brother; the way he ran his company, the way he treated people, and the way he loved those around him."
"He had one of the brightest minds, generous spirits and kindest hearts I've ever known."