![Minnesota Helicopter Crash Victims Identified](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2014/02/222.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Helicopter Crash Victims Identified
LINO LAKES, Minn. (AP) — Authorities have released the names of two people killed in a helicopter crash in a Twin Cities suburb last week.
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims Monday as 48-year-old Matthew Hayes and his passenger, 47-year-old Deborah Smith.
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office has said Hayes was from Minneapolis and Smith was from Blaine.
Sheriff's officials say the helicopter apparently broke apart as it fell from the sky before crashing and bursting into flames in a sod field in Lino Lakes on Thursday.
Officials say the amount of debris scattered over several hundred yards suggested the helicopter was breaking apart as it descended.
No one on the ground was hurt.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
More From KROC-AM
![Ten-Digit Dialing Starts on Tuesday Across Southern Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/730/files/2024/07/attachment-bruce-mars-FWVMhUa_wbY-unsplash1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Airline Is Now Leaving Minnesota For Good](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-Airline-Leaving-MN2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Deadly Listeria Outbreak Prompts Major Nationwide Recall of Popular Deli Meats](http://townsquare.media/site/1172/files/2024/07/attachment-Deli-Meat-Recall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Discovery of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills in Minnesota Hotel Room Leads to Federal Guilty Plea](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Bicyclist Suffers Severe Injuries in Crash With SUV at Hwy. 61 Intersection](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![McDonald’s Is Now Extending Popular Menu Item in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-McDonalds-Extended-MN.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is It Legal to Spread a Loved Ones Ashes Anywhere in Minnesota?](http://townsquare.media/site/719/files/2024/07/attachment-Copy-of-Copy-of-Expensive-Counties.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Child Critically Injured in Dog Attack Not Expected to Survive](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Update: Vulnerable Minnesota Man Who Vanished During Trip to Buy Battery Found Safe](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design.jpg?w=980&q=75)