Lauren Bessette was living life to the fullest before her tragic death alongside sister Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and brother-in-law John F. Kennedy Jr. Lauren was one of Carolyn's older sisters, and they shared a close bond. In July 1999, tragedy struck as JFK Jr., Carolyn and Lauren lost their lives in a plane crash near Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Lauren was 34 while Carolyn was 33 and JFK Jr. was 38. "John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were true soulmates, and we hope to honor them in death in the simple manner in which they chose to live their lives.