Advertisement
Forbes 30 under 30 millionaire Roger Duarte among 5 Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash
21st August, 2026 08:23 AM
American millionaire entrepreneur Roger Duarte, a former Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, was among five Americans killed when a helicopter crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Duarte, 42, was travelling with other passengers when the helicopter went down near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe in northern Kenya. The crash claimed the lives of all those on board, including the pilot.
The married father of two was identified alongside Telemundo executive José Suárez and married couple Henry Parra and Adam Hlavaty as the Americans who died in the crash.
Also killed were Ecuador’s intelligence agency director general Michele Sensi-Contugi, his wife Stephany Maria Hollihan Vasconez, who held dual American citizenship, and experienced pilot Josh Outram.
Duarte’s death was confirmed in reports by the New York Post, which described him as a millionaire seafood entrepreneur who had built a successful business empire in the United States.
Who was Roger Duarte?
Duarte built his career as an entrepreneur in the seafood industry after leaving investment banking.
He launched George Stone Crab in 2008 at the age of 24, initially selling stone crab claws to neighbours in Key Biscayne, Florida.
He later partnered with a major wholesaler as the business expanded.
Duarte also founded My Ceviche, building a reputation as a successful seafood entrepreneur. His achievements earned him a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2016.
His entrepreneurial journey began even earlier. As a schoolboy, Duarte reportedly sold South American cigars to his father’s friends before eventually moving into the seafood business.
Family life
Duarte was married to Nicole Valls Duarte, the daughter of Felipe Valls Jr., founder of the iconic Versailles restaurant in Miami’s Little Havana.
The couple had two children, with their second child born in November 2024.
Duarte and his family lived in a mansion in Miami, reflecting the success he achieved through his business ventures.
His death in the Kenya helicopter crash has since brought attention to the life and career of an entrepreneur who built his seafood businesses, from a small operation selling crab claws to neighbours, into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
Helicopter crashed
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the helicopter crashed on the morning of August 19 near Mount Ololokwe.
The aircraft had reportedly departed from Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy and was heading towards the Ewaso Ng’iro River when it crashed.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Duarte’s father, 82-year-old Roger Duarte Sr, said the family was devastated by the death and was awaiting more information about the crash.
“I’m very devastated right now,” he said, adding that the family did not yet know much about what had happened as investigations continued.
