Update: Bodies of 2 Men, 2 Women, 2 Cats and A Dog Recovered from Plane

The remains of two men and two women were recovered today from the wreckage of a private jet that crashed and burned at Santa Monica Airport Sunday, authorities said.

The bodies of two cats and a dog were also recovered.

The president of Santa Monica-based Morley Builders, Mark Benjamin, and his son Luke, died in the crash. The names of two women on the plane have not been made public. Mark Benjamin was believed to have been at the controls.

The cause of the crash was under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Its local office was closed today because of the federal government shutdown.

Crews had to shore up the roof of the hangar before workers could enter the structure and examine the fuselage of the airplane. That task was accomplished by late Monday night, and coroner's investigators were able to recover the bodies after daybreak this morning, Harvey said.

One of the hangars destroyed was partly owned by movie producer Tony Bill, also a pilot who said his aerobatic plane was destroyed, along with a truck and motorcycle, according to published reports.

The airport remained closed today.