Less than a month after Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children were killed in a fiery plane crash, intruders broke into their empty North Carolina home, rifled through the family’s belongings, and stole what was left of their memories.
Greg Biffle, 55, was a legendary figure in the world of racing. A veteran driver with a fierce competitive streak and a reputation for resilience, Biffle made a name for himself on the track across multiple series.
During his full-time run in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2002 to 2016, he notched 19 wins in 515 starts, finishing in the top 10 in overall standings six times – including a career-best second-place finish in 2005, according to NASCAR.
He remains the only driver in NASCAR history to win championships in both the Xfinity (then Busch) Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, a feat that earned him a place on NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list in 2023.
Away from the track, Biffle was known for his humanitarian work, including disaster relief flights across the Southeast.
‘We’re in trouble’
On Dec. 18, Biffle and his family were traveling to Sarasota, Florida, for a birthday trip ahead of what would have been his 56th birthday on Dec. 23, according to his mother-in-law Cathy Grossu, who spoke to People.
Biffle was on board with his wife Cristina, their 5-year-old son Ryder, his 14-year-old daughter Emma, whom he shared with his ex-wife, along with three additional passengers.
Only moments after takeoff, Cristina had sent a text message to her mom.
“She texted me from the plane and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it,” Grossu told People of the last words her daughter shared.
‘Horrific way that it ended’
WCNC Charlotte reports that about 10:15 a.m., the Cessna 550 Citation Bravo dropped to the ground near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina and erupted into flames.
All seven people on board were killed, including Craig Wadsworth and Dennis Dutton and his son Jack Dutton, a father-and-son pair with ties to the racing community.
“We’re devastated. We’re broken hearted. To think that they would be killed on a birthday trip, that was just such a fun time for the family,” Grossu said. “And to see the horrific way that it ended, it’s just, it is so hard to bear. I cannot believe they’re gone.”
The final NTSB report is expected within 12 to 18 months.
Break-in at Biffle’s home
While friends, family, and fans were still reeling from the loss, tragedy took another turn.
On Jan. 8, 2024, just before 6:30 p.m., deputies from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alleged break-in at the Biffle family’s home on Doolie Road in Mooresville.
It was Cristina’s mother who contacted police, suspecting her late daughter’s home had been burglarized.
According to WCNC Charlotte once deputies were inside the home, they discovered that $30,000 in cash had been taken, along with a backpack. Two firearms and several pieces of NASCAR memorabilia were also reported missing.
“Currently, no arrest has been made,” a spokesperson for the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, per WBTV. “Investigators are continuing to review all evidence, including digital and other available information, as the case remains under investigation.”
Authorities are now working with nearby racing teams and NASCAR affiliates to determine if any of the memorabilia has surfaced on the secondary market, hoping it will lead them to a suspect or location.
The loss of the Biffle family has left a deep void in the NASCAR world and now, their home has been violated – its safety and memories ripped away by criminals who struck when no one could defend it.
Cristina Biffle would have celebrated her birthday on Jan. 10. Please share your love to her and to her family in the comment section below.
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