Bret Michaels - Bret Michaels Lost A Friend In Jenni Rivera Plane Crash

Rocker Bret Michaels is mourning the loss of a friend who is feared dead in the same plane crash which claimed the life of Latin singer Jenni Rivera.

The star's private plane went missing after taking off from an airport in Monterrey, Mexico on Sunday (09Dec12) and rescuers have subsequently found wreckage scattered across Nuevo Leon state.

No bodies have yet been found, but all seven people on the jet are now presumed dead, including make-up artist Jacob Yebale, who was a good friend of Poison star Michaels.

The rocker has released a statement paying tribute to his pal, which reads: "I am deeply saddened hearing the news of the crash of Jenni Rivera's plane. Not only did the crash claim the life of Ms Rivera but that of 4 (sic) other people including, Jacob Yebale, who was a great friend to all of us at Michaels Entertainment having worked with me, Vh1 and (production company) 51 Minds on numerous shoots. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as well as Ms. Rivera's and the other families who lost loved ones in this awful and sudden tragedy."

Search and rescue teams in Mexico are still looking for the bodies of those lost in the disaster, but authorities have recovered Rivera's driving licence from the wreckage.

Rivera's famous friends and fans have been mourning her loss since the accident. Fellow Latin singer Paulina Rubio, Rivera's co-star on Tv talent show The Voice of Mexico, appeared inconsolable over the apparent death of her close friend and colleague.

She writes in a post on Twitter.com, "My friend! Why? There is no consolation. God, please help me!"

Rivera's father Pedro Rivera has also spoken about the tragedy for the first time, telling reporters he believes his daughter to be lost: "I believe my daughter's body is unrecognisable. My son, Lupillo, told me that effectively, it was Jenni's plane that crashed and that everyone on board died... She never gave up and she was good to everyone."