Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kameron Nicole Cline (often referenced as Kameron N. Cline) |
| Birth | 1997, Beckley, West Virginia, USA |
| Death | July 4, 2019, near Big Grand Cay, Bahamas |
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Education | The Benjamin School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL); Louisiana State University (Class of 2019); Phi Mu |
| Parents | Father: Christopher “Chris” Cline; Mother: Kelly Cline |
| Siblings | Half-sister: Candice Cline Kenan; Brothers: Christopher Logan Cline, Alex Tanner Cline |
| Known For | Being the youngest daughter of coal magnate Chris Cline; close-knit friendships; vibrant campus life |
| Resting Place | Beckley, West Virginia |
| Notable Interests | Wakeboarding, travel, sorority life, community with close friends |
Roots and Early Years
Her family’s history is entwined into Beckley, West Virginia, where Kameron Nicole Cline was born in 1997. Her father, Chris Cline, developed her family and great-grandfather’s mining roots into a massive business that made him one of America’s most famous coal executives. After the family moved south to Florida, Kameron grew up in a world of sunlight, private schools, and close friendships that were her anchor.
Her parents, Chris and Kelly, divorced when she was young. Though her father’s public profile grew, Kameron’s own life remained largely private. She found daily meaning in school, friendships, and family rhythms, rather than public ambitions or early career milestones.
Education and Campus Life
Kameron made lifelong relationships at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens. The longest was with Brittney Searson, who was inseparable from Kameron from school to college. They were constant companions in travel, study, and joy.
At Louisiana State University, Kameron joined Phi Mu and dove into campus life. She graduated in May 2019, just weeks before her death. Friends and family remember her as spirited and outgoing—someone who loved the water, took to wakeboarding, and could turn a simple day into a memory.
Family Portrait
Cline family history includes frontier grit and modern entrepreneurship. Its branches are prosperous and philanthropic in West Virginia and Florida. Kameron was the youngest of four siblings and the daughter of a self-made billionaire who made his money through foundations, community giving, and family loyalty.
| Name | Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher “Chris” Cline (1958–2019) | Father | Coal entrepreneur, philanthropist; died in the same accident as Kameron |
| Kelly Cline | Mother | Divorced from Chris in 2000; maintained a private life centered on her children |
| Candice Cline Kenan | Half-sister | Involved in family philanthropy; married |
| Christopher Logan Cline | Brother | Associated with family enterprises |
| Alex Tanner Cline | Brother | Associated with family enterprises |
| Paul Cline (1925–2002) | Paternal grandfather | Coal miner; early foundation of family wealth |
| Lassie Justice Cline (1924–2005) | Paternal grandmother | Rooted the family in Beckley’s community |
| Brittney Searson | Closest friend | Best friend since school; died in the same accident |
| Jillian Clark | Friend | LSU sorority sister; died in the same accident |
| Delaney Wykle | Friend | Close family friend; died in the same accident |
A Timeline Measured in Milestones
Like a string of pearls abruptly cut, Kameron’s timeline is beautiful and brief.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Birth | Born in Beckley, West Virginia |
| Early 2000s | Family transition | Parents divorce; family life centered in Florida |
| 2000s–2015 | School years | The Benjamin School; lifelong friendships grow |
| 2015–2019 | LSU | Joins Phi Mu; active social life; travel and athletics |
| May 2019 | Graduation | Completes undergraduate studies at LSU |
| July 4, 2019 | Tragic accident | Dies in a helicopter crash near Big Grand Cay, Bahamas |
| July 2019 | Memorial | Services held in Beckley honoring Kameron and Chris Cline |
| 2021 | Investigation findings | Investigators attribute the crash to pilot error and unqualified operation |
| 2022 | Legal action | A wrongful death lawsuit seeks accountability from involved parties |
| 2025 | Community legacy | The Chris and Kameron Cline Center in Beckley hosts public events and services |
The Night of July 4, 2019
Chris Cline’s birthday was celebrated in the Bahamas with family and friends. Kameron was flown to urgent medical care by helicopter after becoming dangerously unwell. Never arrived. The plane crashed into murky sea at Big Grand Cay shortly after midnight, killing Kameron, her father, three close friends—Brittney Searson, Jillian Clark, and Delaney Wykle—and two pilots. A family used to long horizons saw time compress into one irreparable moment.
Aftermath, Accountability, and Grief
Grief became action in later months and years. Court documents and aviation safety discussions confirmed investigators’ findings that the crash was caused by pilot mistake and performed in violation of qualifications. The family sued for wrongful death, reflecting their loss. West Virginia and Florida residents paid honour to loyalty, brilliance, and kindness, not riches or popularity.
Wealth, Privacy, and the Life Between
Kameron might easily be reduced to heiress headlines. However, her life was quieter. She lived in a large North Palm Beach mansion, the family’s Beckley estate, and private island vacations. Friends and family remembered unguarded moments like laughter on the water, sorority activities, planned and postponed travels, and birthday traditions. At 22, her story was still being written.
Friendship as Family
Her memorial names—Brittney, Jillian, Delaney—tell a similar story. These women accompanied Kameron from school halls to college quads to weekends away. They were family within the family, friends who split the bill, shared the music, and knew the words before you spoke them. Their loss was felt across LSU and beyond, reminding us that brightest lives travel in groups.
Legacy in Community
Since 2019, Kameron’s name has joined her father’s on Cline facilities and initiatives in West Virginia and worldwide. The Chris and Kameron Cline Centre in Beckley hosts health and community programs and screenings for daily needs. Each early vision screening and awareness day quietly transforms a tragedy into a public good.
What Remains
Both ordinary and spectacular lives have poetry. Kameron had a pattern of classes, sports, and friends set against a backdrop of rare privilege and public attention. People remember her as adventurous, gregarious, and passionately devoted, a brilliant personality whose echoes endure in scholarships, centres, and family memories.
FAQ
Who were Kameron N. Cline’s parents?
Her parents were Christopher “Chris” Cline, a coal entrepreneur and philanthropist, and Kelly Cline.
Did Kameron have a career?
No; she had just graduated from LSU in May 2019 and had not established a professional career.
How old was she when she died?
She was 22 years old.
Where did she go to school?
She attended The Benjamin School in Florida and graduated from Louisiana State University.
What happened in the helicopter crash?
The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff near Big Grand Cay while transporting her for urgent medical care, killing all seven aboard.
What did investigators conclude about the crash?
Investigators later attributed the crash to pilot error and unqualified operation.
Is there a memorial or center in her name?
Yes; in Beckley, West Virginia, the Chris and Kameron Cline Center hosts community programs and events.
Who were the friends who died with her?
Her close friends Brittney Searson, Jillian Clark, and Delaney Wykle also perished in the crash.
Where is she buried?
She is buried in Beckley, West Virginia.
Did she have siblings?
Yes; a half-sister, Candice Cline Kenan, and two brothers, Christopher Logan and Alex Tanner.
