Mom of kids killed in Ariz. crash drawing support

November 25, 2011 at 9:33a.m.

PHOENIX (AP) — Friends and acquaintances are lending support to an Arizona mother who lost her three children and ex-husband in a plane crash in the Superstition Mountains.

Karen Perry, of Apache Junction, has experienced a series of struggles in recent years.

Nine-year-old Morgan was diagnosed with epilepsy and faced multiple brain surgeries. Perry’s youngest son, 6-year-old Luke, had autism.

The principal at Peralta Trail Elementary tells The Arizona Republic that Morgan Perry and a third child, 8-year-old Logan Perry, were special kids, and teachers were naturally shocked at the news the children had been killed.

The children’s father, pilot Shawn Perry, had flown from Safford in southeast Arizona Wednesday with two co-workers and picked up the kids so they could spend Thanksgiving with him when the plane crashed.