'My heart is broken': Windsor family mourns loss of couple killed in plane crash in Iran

"We love you so much and we miss you so much."

These were among the last words Leah Smithies and her stepson Chris heard from Samira Bashiri and Hamidreza Setareh Kokab, a married couple who wereamong the 63 Canadians killed in this week's plane crash in Iran.

The Smithies family hosted Bashiri and Kokabas Airbnbguests in their home after thetwo moved to Windsor, Ont., in December 2018.The couple eventually moved out as Airbnb guests, but in September 2019 moved back in as tenants.

About a week ago, the couple, who had been visiting family in Iran, sent the Smithies a video, saying they were looking forward to returning to Canada.

"My heart is broken," said Leah. "I can't imagine that they [are] gone. [On Tuesday]I made a bed for them. I told them I'm waiting for you today and I will come and get you."

Before the crash, Bashirihad beenworkingin a lab at the University of Windsor, where Kokabwasa PhD student. The two were among five from Windsorconfirmed as having died in the crash.

Over the last several months, the couple and the Smithieshad spent a lot of time together under one roof,bonding and eventually becoming like family.

'It feels kind of raw and it really hurts'

All 167 passengersand nine crew aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752died when the planeplunged to the ground shortly after takeoff. The regularly scheduled trip to Kyivlifted off fromTehran's Imam Khomeini airport just after 6 a.m. Wednesday local time.

"It's just starting to sink in," said Chris about the loss of the couple. "It feels kind of raw and it really hurts because he was like a brother and she was definitelylike a sister to me."

The SmithiesrememberBashiri and Kokabas kind, caring and selfless.

"We will never forget them," said Leah. "They have been like children to us. We [were]very, very close."