A GRIEVING American family in Michigan is searching for answers after an Australian pilot involved in a fatal-drink driving incident returned to WA before facing court.
Gabrielle Brown, a widowed mother of two from the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City, was killed on August 29, 2024, in a fatal car crash in Benzie County.
Her husband had died around seven months earlier, leaving their two young sons in the care of their 78-year-old grandmother Joanne.
Police later issued a warrant for the driver, Australian citizen and FAA-licensed pilot Cameron David-Eagar Kerr, claiming he had been intoxicated at the time.
Ms Brown’s relatives said the pair had been in a close relationship prior to the crash.
They say Mr Kerr later failed to appear at scheduled court dates, such as July 11, 2025, instead returning to Australia with his family over Christmas.
This left them without “closure, compensation, or accountability”.
Close family relative Inga Bendickson said the financial and emotional toll had been difficult in the two years since the accident.
“My aunt is 78 years old, and she is raising these boys on her own,” Ms Bendickson said.
“Emotionally, it’s been extremely overwhelming.
“Financially, there’s a lot involved.”
Ms Bendickson said the family wasn’t after revenge, but accountability for the lives impacted by the circumstances.
“I just feel out of respect, you should hold yourself responsible for the mistakes you made,” Ms Bendickson said.
Another relative, Alison, said the crashed vehicle wasn’t covered by active insurance, meaning the family hadn’t been able to get a civil settlement or financial support for the long-term care of the orphaned boys.
The Herald reached out to the FBI in Traverse City, the Benzie County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office, but none could provide any information on whether there would be an extradition request forwarded to Australian authorities.
FBI public affairs officer Jordan Hall said the bureau would not comment on whether it was progressing the matter.
“As a matter of longstanding policy, the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations or investigative activity,” Mr Hall said.
The Herald attempted to contact Mr Kerr using a number provided by Ms Brown’s family.
But when we called, the man who answered denied any knowledge of Ms Brown’s death and identified himself as “Campbell”.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
“There are some coincidences that don’t add up.”
But when we called back again, the phone went straight to voicemail, the message identifying the owner as “Cameron”.
Mr Kerr’s father, David Kerr, said he brought his son back to Australia due to the psychological and physical trauma sustained from the crash.
“He had to come back because he was so physically broken, and he has no one there,” Mr Kerr said.
“We had four months there with him to try and just get him through his initial injuries.”
Mr Kerr confirmed Cameron had initially returned to the family home in Leeming after his return from the US but has since moved out.
“There are always two sides to a story,” Mr Kerr said.
He dismissed claims by Ms Brown’s family that his son’s return to Australia meant justice wouldn’t be served.
“That whole thing about running from justice, running from the court, is totally incorrect,” Mr Kerr said.
Cameron Kerr’s attorney Jesse Latta Williams declined to answer any questions about the incident or his intentions.
by JOSHUA ALEXANDER