UPDATE: Since this article was written, the search for the plane wreckage has shifted. High winds and tides have thus far prevented anyone from recovering objects spotted by satellite in the Indian Ocean and determining definitively what they are. We have updated this story to reflect the ongoing search.
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After more than two weeks of uncertainty, Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on March 24 that Malaysia Airlines flight 370 crashed into a remote part of the Indian Ocean. Razak revealed the news during a press conference.
Razak said the plane's last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth. "It is a remote location. Far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that according to this new data, flight MH 370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean."
All of the families of passengers and crew were informed of the development before the official announcement was made.
"For them, the past few weeks have been heartbreaking. I know this news must be hard as well," Razak said before asking the media to respect the victims' families' privacy.
The Malaysia Airlines flight vanished in the air on March 8 with 239 people on board, including one from Keller, Texas. Philip Wood, 50, was one of three Americans on the list of passengers provided by the airline. The plane's lack of communication during its final hours gave way to a number of theories, including that someone may have hijacked the plane and possibly landed it off the grid.
During the uncertainty, Wood's family created a Facebook page tilted "Finding Philip Wood." After the wreckage was found, they posted an emotional update.
"Our collective hearts are hurting now. Please lift all the loved ones of MH370 with your good thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued support and for being our inspiration."
A Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared on March 8 has been found.
