He was a ground service agent, which is why they knew him, calling him “Rich.” Update to this story.
The man has been identified as Richard Russell.
Via Daily Mirror:
This is the first picture of Horizon Air employee Richard Russell who died after crashing a stolen plane on an island outside Seattle.
The “suicidal” ground service agent, 29, was seen doing loops and other air stunts in the aircraft after staging an unauthorised take-off.
He was chased by two military jets before crashing on Ketron Island in Puget Sound, along the northwestern coast of Washington state, US.
He is presumed dead after the incident.
Speaking to the Seattle Times, a retired Horizon Air operational supervisor said Richard was “quiet guy” who was seemingly well-liked by colleagues.