The final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place in the fiery tragedy that claimed six lives at Bangor International Airport: Shelby Kuyawa, the 34-year-old wine expert and advanced sommelier, has been confirmed as the last victim identified from the doomed Bombardier Challenger 600 private jet that flipped upside down and exploded in flames during takeoff on January 25, 2026.

Kuyawa’s name brings heartbreaking closure to the high-profile crash, which unfolded amid the brutal grip of Winter Storm Fern. The Paris-bound aircraft—registered to an entity linked to Houston’s powerhouse personal injury law firm Arnold & Itkin—had stopped in Maine for refueling after departing from Houston’s Hobby Airport. It never made it off the ground properly. Around 7:45 p.m., as snow whipped across the runway and visibility plunged, the jet lurched forward, over-rotated, inverted violently, and slammed down in a catastrophic fireball that lit up the blizzard-darkened sky. First responders raced in, but the inferno was merciless—no survivors emerged from the wreckage.

Shelby Kuyawa, a level 3 advanced sommelier with deep roots in luxury hospitality, was aboard as part of an elite scouting mission for Beyond, the visionary luxury travel company co-founded by Tara Arnold and her husband, Kurt Arnold. Tara, 46, a brilliant attorney at Arnold & Itkin specializing in high-stakes oil and gas deals, led the venture as CEO. Beyond promised “experiences beyond imagination”—invitation-only escapes to private estates, world-class resorts, bespoke culinary journeys, and exclusive destinations for the ultra-wealthy. This trip to France was meant to elevate the brand: touring stunning châteaux, sampling rare vintages, forging partnerships, and curating unforgettable itineraries.

Kuyawa, with her 15 years in top-tier hotels, resorts, and private clubs across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., was the perfect fit. She had spent years at Hawaii’s ultra-exclusive Kukio Golf and Beach Club—a members-only billionaire enclave where homes fetch up to $30 million and celebrities like Matthew McConaughey mingle with tycoons. There, she crossed paths with the Arnolds, who owned one of the coveted properties. Her expertise in wine pairing, cellar curation, and elevated service made her indispensable to Beyond’s vision of blending hospitality with opulence. Traveling alongside private chef Nick Mastrascusa, 43, and event designer Shawna Collins, 53, Kuyawa was poised to bring her palate to French vineyards and beyond.

But fate intervened in the frozen Maine night. The jet, after standard de-icing, lined up for departure amid warnings from other pilots about icy conditions and poor visibility. Air traffic control chatter captured the tension: complaints of snow sticking, debates over another de-icing round, one voice calling the push “stupid.” Clearance came anyway. Seconds into the roll, disaster struck—the plane flipped, came to rest inverted, and erupted. The NTSB and FAA launched a probe, delayed by feet of snow blanketing the site, making wreckage access grueling. Theories swirl: wing icing despite treatment, mechanical issues in extreme cold, pilot error under pressure, or runway contamination. The Challenger series has faced scrutiny for handling in icy weather, adding urgency to the investigation.

Kuyawa’s identification as the fifth—and final—victim named caps a week of mounting anguish. Tara Arnold was first confirmed, her role as Beyond’s driving force and devoted mother of two now a tragic footnote. Shawna Collins, the Lakewood Church event planner under Joel Osteen Ministries, was next—her daughter recalling a joyful last call about the European adventure. Nick Mastrascusa, father of three and Beyond’s hospitality EVP, followed, his global restaurant pedigree silenced forever. Pilot Jacob Hosmer, 47, a Houston-area aviator whose family says he now rests “in Heaven with Jesus,” rounded out the known crew.

For Beyond, the loss is existential. What began as a dream of luxury redefined—private jets, elite networks, unparalleled experiences—ended in ashes on a snowy runway. The company’s website, once glowing with promises of exquisite estates and curated escapes, now stands frozen in time. GoFundMes have surged, raising hundreds of thousands for grieving families, while vigils in Houston and beyond honor the team.

Tributes paint Kuyawa as warm, knowledgeable, and passionate—a childhood global nomad who turned her love of wine into a career elevating every table she touched. “She brought joy and sophistication to everything,” one colleague remembered. Her final journey, meant to scout French wonders, became her last. The irony stings: experts in indulgence, cut down pursuing the pinnacle of their craft.

As snow continues to hamper the NTSB’s work—bodies still entangled in wreckage, full evidence collection delayed—the questions linger. Why fly in such historic weather? Was the risk misjudged? The answers may take months, but for now, the crash stands as a stark warning: even the elite, chasing perfection in private jets, are vulnerable to nature’s fury.

Six lives extinguished—attorney-visionary Tara Arnold, event maestro Shawna Collins, chef extraordinaire Nick Mastrascusa, pilot Jacob Hosmer, and wine savant Shelby Kuyawa—leaving behind shattered dreams, heartbroken families, and a luxury empire in ruins. The last victim found, the full toll laid bare: a fiery end to what promised to be extraordinary beginnings.