The Marshfield Police Department sent the following press release on Monday:

From Police Chief Joe Stroik:

As of this time, the FAA has confirmed that the aircraft involved in the late Saturday crash is the aircraft that was leased to Mr. Jim Edwards of Marshfield. This information was confirmed through the aircraft engine serial number. Family members have been notified of this information. In discussing the tragic event with the family, it is firmly believed, although not officially confirmed that James Franklin Edwards III, age 41 was piloting the aircraft. It is further believed that also aboard were two sons, James Franklin Edwards IV, age 15, and Joshua James Edwards, age 9. It is believed that these three members of the Edwards family perished in the crash.

Again these deaths have not been absolutely confirmed. The three deceased persons found at the crash scene have been transported to an out of town facility to undergo autopsies for positive identification. Those results likely will not be available this week. The crash remains under investigation by the Marshfield Police Dept., the Wood County Coroners Office, the FAA and the National transportation safety board. No further information will be released at this time.

This crash is truly a tragedy for the Edwards family. I urge all those in receipt of this message to respect the family’s wishes to not answer further questions at this time.

WEAU 13 News has a crew in Marshfield and will have full updates at 5 and 6 p.m.

WEAU 13 NEWS UPDATE at 1:20 p.m. Monday:

A police chief says it appears that a single-engine plane that crashed near the Marshfield airport killing three people came almost straight down.

Police Chief Joe Stroik said Monday that investigators continued to work to identify the victims who were badly burned in the crash that happened about 11 p.m. Saturday.

Some media reports say the victims were a father and two young sons from Marshfield but Stroik refused to confirm them. A spokesman for the family and the man's business declined comment.

Stroik says the Piper Meridian airplane burned so badly that the numbers on it were gone and investigators were searching elsewhere in the wreckage for a serial number.

Stroik says the plane's destination was Marshfield but he didn't know where the flight originated.

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Three people were killed when a single-engine plane crashed in Marshfield last night.

The plane crashed into the backyard of a home in southwestern Marshfield at about 11 last night.

Police say no one on the ground was hurt.

Marshfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Roy Dolens says it isn't yet clear whether the plane was trying to land at the Marshfield Airport or if it had just taken off. He says, “When we arrived the house back wall was on fire, wreckage in the backyard on fire as well.”

Dolens says investigators haven't been able to find tail numbers for the plane.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.