The world of figure skating is mourning the devastating loss of two young sisters, Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, along with their parents, Peter and Donna Livingston, in a tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C. The family was returning home after the girls competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, when the accident occurred.
The Livingston family was among the 64 victims on board the American Airlines flight, which collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on the evening of January 29. The crash has left the figure skating community and beyond in shock, as the sisters were known for their passion and talent on the ice.
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Everly and Alydia were more than just skaters—they were rising stars with bright futures. Everly, a sectional champion at the intermediate and juvenile levels, was described as quiet and reserved off the ice but came alive during performances. Alydia, the youngest skater on the plane, was known for her vibrant personality and determination to improve. Their parents, Peter and Donna, were their biggest supporters, often traveling between Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia to ensure the girls could pursue their dreams.
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Donna, a native of Central Pennsylvania, was remembered as a devoted mother who poured her heart into her daughters’ skating careers. Peter, a real estate agent, was known for his love of filming the girls’ performances. Together, they created a nurturing environment that allowed Everly and Alydia to thrive.
The sisters’ love for figure skating began at a young age. Family friend Cassandra Atkins, who designed some of their skating outfits through her business, Frozen Couture, shared that the girls were always full of energy and enthusiasm. “They just loved skating so much,” she said. “They were roller skating or had wheels on their boots when they weren’t on the ice.”
The tragedy has left a void in the figure skating community, with tributes pouring in from friends, coaches, and fellow skaters. The Skating Lesson Facebook page honored the sisters, highlighting Alydia’s vivacious spirit and Everly’s grace on the ice. The page also shared a touching detail about their father, who built an ice rink in their backyard every winter, a tradition that grew as the girls did.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the figure skating world is united in grief, remembering the Livingston family for their love, dedication, and the joy they brought to the sport.
