A family trip that should have ended with cake and photos ended in tragedy.

Authorities say a plane crash killed seven people, including NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Christina, and their children, Ryder and Emma. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the crash on Thursday. However, investigators have not shared a cause.

The passenger list also included Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and a man named Craig Wadsworth. Meanwhile, Biffle’s longtime friend Garrett Mitchell, known online as Cleetus McFarland, said the family flew to meet him. He shared the news on Facebook and described the group as “devastated.”

Then came the detail that stopped many readers cold.

Christina’s mother, Cathy, told People she received one last text from her daughter. “We’re in trouble,” Christina wrote. After that, the messages ended.

Cathy also said the family had been in Florida on what she called a birthday trip. They had visited her home just the day before. She remembered the hugs. Still, she said she cannot recall the final words they exchanged, and that loss now sits with her.

Witnesses near the scene described the plane as flying unusually low. Reports say it crashed around 10:15 a.m. and burst into flames. The Statesville Regional Airport confirmed an incident during landing. The FAA is investigating.

For now, loved ones grieve. And a short text carries the weight of a lifetime.