TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Roy Halladay, a retired major league pitcher from Denver, was killed in a plane crash off the coast of Florida Tuesday.
Florida authorities said that Halladay's ICON A5 went down in the Gulf of Mexico about noon.
Deputies from the Marine Unit and the Swiftwater Response Team responded to the downed plane and found Halladay's body. No survivors were found.
Authorities couldn't confirm if there were additional passengers on the plane or say where it was headed.
Halladay was a Colorado legend. He was born in Denver and graduated from Arvada West High School in 1995, where his jersey is retired and encased.
He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the amateur draft soon after graduating. He was considered the best starting pitcher from Colorado to ever pitch in the big leagues.
The 40-year-old played 12 seasons with the Blue Jays and four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring in 2013. He won a World Series ring with the Phillies.
"We are saddened by the tragic news that Roy Halladay, 2-time Cy Young Award winner & 8-time All-Star, has died in a plane crash. He was 40," a Major League Baseball tweet read.
We are saddened by the tragic news that Roy Halladay, 2-time Cy Young Award winner & 8-time All-Star, has died in a plane crash. He was 40. pic.twitter.com/SOFv3bOLyt
— MLB (@MLB) November 7, 2017
Halladay lived n Florida with his wife and two children.
Arvada West High School issued a statement Tuesday afternoon on Halladay’s death:
“The Arvada West community is sorry to hear about the passing of Roy Halladay today. We were proud to have him on our team as a Wildcat. Roy Halladay was a three-sport athlete at Arvada West High School in cross country, basketball and baseball. He led the Arvada West baseball team to the 6 A State Championship title in 1994. He was described as “an ace right hander” who led the Wildcats to a return appearance in the class 6 A prep championship game in 1995. Also in 1995 he was named All District, All State, All American and Player of the Year for baseball. While playing for both the American and National leagues, Roy was a two-time Cy Young Award Winner for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003 and Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. He was an eight-time All Star Team selection. Roy Halladay was very generous to the Arvada West athletic program, he donated resources that are still supporting students today. Our thoughts are with the Halladay family and friends at this time.”
