A tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday in Kenya has deeply affected a prominent family within Miami's Cuban community. Roger Edward Duarte, a 39-year-old entrepreneur and husband to Nicole Valls, the granddaughter of the founder of the renowned Versailles restaurant, lost his life when the helicopter he was aboard crashed in northern Kenya.
Duarte was among seven individuals who perished in the accident, including José Alberto Suárez, the president and general manager of Telemundo stations in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers. This was reported by Telemundo Miami, citing information from the Associated Press.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Kenyan company Lady Lori Helicopters, crashed around 9:13 a.m. local time near the rugged terrain of Mount Ololokwe in the Samburu County.
Operating as a charter flight, the helicopter was traveling from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area and was transporting guests associated with the luxury travel company &Beyond.
Tragically, all seven people on board, including the six passengers and the Kenyan pilot, Josh Outram, died in the crash. The U.S. State Department confirmed that five of the deceased were American citizens.
A Loss Felt by the Versailles Family
Roger Duarte was married to Nicole Valls, who serves as vice president of operations at Valls Group and is the granddaughter of Cuban entrepreneur Felipe A. Valls Sr. Felipe Valls Sr. founded the iconic Versailles restaurant on Calle Ocho in 1971.
The Valls family holds a significant place in the business history of Cuban exiles in Miami. Versailles evolved beyond a mere restaurant to become a key gathering spot for the Cuban-American community, especially during political events related to Cuba.
Felipe Valls Sr., who emigrated to the U.S. after leaving Cuba in 1960, also played a role in popularizing the "ventanita," a street-side service model where generations of Miami Cubans have purchased coffee, pastries, and croquettes while discussing Cuban affairs.
With Felipe Valls Sr.'s passing in November 2022 at the age of 89, his descendants have continued to lead the family business. Nicole Valls is part of the third generation managing the Valls Group, which operates over 30 establishments in Miami, including Versailles, La Carreta, Casa Juancho, MesaMar, and Casa Cuba.
A Promising Entrepreneurial Journey Cut Short
Roger Duarte carved out his own path in Miami's culinary scene. At the age of 24, he left investment banking to establish George Stone Crab, a home delivery business specializing in Florida stone crab. This venture earned him a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2016.
He later became involved in launching other food-related businesses, including My Ceviche and Zuuk Mediterranean Kitchen. Duarte leaves behind his wife and two children, the youngest of whom was born in November 2024.
The Duarte and Valls families released a joint statement requesting privacy as they cope with their loss. "We are devastated and heartbroken by the tragic helicopter crash in Kenya that took the life of our beloved Roger Edward Duarte. The magnitude of this tragedy is beyond comprehension, and words cannot express the depth of our sorrow," they shared. "We respectfully request privacy as our families navigate this terrible loss," they added.
Business Leaders Among the Victims
The crash claimed the lives of several individuals connected to Florida's business and media sectors. Among them was José Alberto Suárez, a 55-year-old senior executive at Telemundo with an 18-year career at Telemundo and NBC stations, who also had familial ties to Cuba.
Also lost were Adam Hlavaty, co-founder of Mrkt Group and former vice president at companies like Pollo Tropical and Benihana, and Henry Parra, an aviation software executive and U.S. Navy veteran.
Accompanying them on the flight were Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, the founder of the fashion brand Sensi Studio. The Kenyan pilot, Josh Outram, completed the list of seven fatalities.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. U.S. representatives have also traveled to the site following the confirmation of American casualties.
Key Questions About the Kenyan Helicopter Crash
Who was Roger Edward Duarte?
Roger Edward Duarte was a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Miami, married to Nicole Valls, and known for founding George Stone Crab and other culinary ventures.
What happened in the helicopter crash in Kenya?
The helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya, killing all seven people on board, including five U.S. citizens. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
What is the significance of the Versailles restaurant in Miami?
Versailles is a landmark Cuban restaurant in Miami, founded by Felipe A. Valls Sr. in 1971. It is a major cultural hub for the Cuban-American community.