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Social media plays role in identifying Akron plane crash victims

Although no official confirmation has been provided, many are naming victims of Akron's plane crash online.
Andrea Ramudo Virgin posted this image of Thomas "TJ" Virgin on her Facebook page with the words "I miss you."

AKRON -- While we all await official confirmation of the nine people killed in Akron's fiery plane crash this week, many have taken to social media to share their condolences with photos and fundraising efforts.

In doing so, the names being listed on social media match several of those mentioned on the Pebb Enterprises bio page, which is the Florida-based company that confirmed seven of their employees died in the crash.

IN DEPTH | Akron plane crash coverage

While unconfirmed, here is a look around various social accounts and other media.

Thomas "TJ" Virgin

A woman who is listed as married to a Thomas Virgin posted an image on her Facebook profile of them together that declares "I miss you. What I would give to have you back." The comments below the image are filled with condolences. She has posted several images from their wedding day as well.

Virgin is listed on the Pebb Enterprises as a director of construction.

Thomas is responsible for the oversight and management of PEBB's construction efforts for all development, redevelopment, and major capital projects. As a Professional Engineer and General Contractor, Thomas ensures that these properties and projects, whether in early entitlement stages or fully developed and operational, are performing at their fullest potential. He is responsible for the assurance of quality and cost control, construction safety, project accounting, project planning and scheduling, resource allocation, and technical direction to both design and construction personnel.

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Gary Shapiro

A GoFundMe page has been set up in Gary Shapiro's memory. The fundraiser declares that Shapiro died in a plane crash. He, too, is listed as an employee on the Pebb Enterprises site.

His bio labels him as director of leasing.

As Director of Leasing, Gary is responsible for overseeing the Leasing of the PEBB Enterprises portfolio. Gary prides himself on the relationships he has established in the industry and looks forward to establishing new ones. Gary is a member of ICSC.

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Jared Weiner

Another name circulating on social media as one of the crash victims is Jared Weiner. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article Wednesday identifying him as one of those killed based on confirmation from his father-in-law's law office. Their report says Weiner was married to the daughter of a prominent attorney.

His bio from the Pebb Enterprises site labels him as a managing principal.

Jared oversees all of PEBB's growth and development activities, which includes ground up construction, re-development projects, national tenant leasing and all acquisition activities.  Jared has been with PEBB since 2004 and has been instrumental to the company's growth having tripled the size of its portfolio since being in such leadership position, and has spearheaded PEBB's national expansion plans.  Jared is a graduate of the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University.  Jared is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and a member of the ICSC.

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Diana Suriel

Diana Suriel is among the names discussed as one of the crash victim's on social media. Her last Facebook post came the morning of the crash when she uploaded an image of breakfast at the Cincinnatian Hotel. Authorities say the travelers had been in Cincinnati before flying toward the Akron area.

A YouCaring fund has been set up in her name that declares she died in a "tragic plane crash" on Nov. 10.

There is also information posted on Facebook with details about a ceremony being held in her honor Friday in Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

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Diane Smoot

At the scene Wednesday morning, the family of Diane Smoot confirmed she is among the dead. Smoot, 50, leaves behind adult twins.

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None of the nine people aboard the plane survived the crash.

News of the incident made national headlines as the plane burst into flames after slamming into a small Akron apartment complex on Mogadore Road. It was approaching Akron Fulton Airport after traveling from the Dayton area.

PHOTOS | Deadly Akron plane crash

Nobody on the ground was hurt.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived at the scene Wednesday to begin their investigation.

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