Family and friends of an Indiana mother said they were shocked and stunned by her sudden death as she was aboard a flight returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic last week.
Investigators in Turks and Caicos said they are investigating the Feb. 28 death of Stefanie Smith, who was onboard the American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic to North Carolina. Smith, 41, fell ill mid-flight which prompted an emergency landing in Turks and Caicos, where she was transported to a hospital and later died, the Turks and Caicos police said in a statement.
Stefanie Smith in a photo with her brother Chris Volz.
Courtesy Chris Volz
A cause of death was not immediately determined and medical examiners are conducting an autopsy, the police said.
Smith was vacationing with her boyfriend for five days and seemed healthy right before the flight, according to her friend Maria Yannotti, who was also on the trip.
“She loves going to the gym every day, even while we were in the Dominican. She made it a point to get up every morning to go to the gym and run on the beach,” Yannotti, who traveled to the Dominican Republic separately, told ABC News.
Smith’s boyfriend was sitting next to her on the flight and said her eyes rolled back and she started convulsing, according to Yannotti.
A doctor and nurses on board the plane helped to administer CPR to Smith before the plane made an emergency landing, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
Stefanie Smith seen with her son and daughter in an undated photo.
Courtesy Chris Volz
Smith was the mother of two children, an 18-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter, according to her brother Chris Volz. Volz told ABC News that he was not aware that his sister had any pre-existing health conditions.
“She was a special person…Her kids really…love her a lot, and I know she loved them,” he said. “And so it’s tough.”
ABC News’ Anselm Gibbs contributed to this report.
A tragic incident occurred on a flight from the Dominican Republic to the United States when a woman traveling with her two young children suddenly passed away under mysterious circumstances. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly in her mid-30s and appeared to be in good health before boarding the flight.
According to witnesses on the plane, the woman began experiencing severe chest pains shortly after takeoff. Flight attendants quickly responded to her distress call and attempted to administer first aid, but unfortunately, their efforts were in vain. The woman tragically passed away before the plane could make an emergency landing.
The sudden and unexplained death of the woman has left many questions unanswered and has sparked speculation about what could have caused such a tragic event. Some passengers have suggested that the woman may have suffered from a pre-existing medical condition that went undetected, while others have raised concerns about the possibility of foul play.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, including conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The woman’s two children, who were traveling with her, have been placed in the care of child protective services until their relatives can be located.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of being prepared for emergencies, especially when traveling with young children. It also highlights the need for airlines to have proper medical equipment and trained staff on board to handle medical emergencies effectively.
As more details emerge about this tragic event, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the woman who lost her life under such mysterious circumstances. May she rest in peace, and may her children find comfort and support during this difficult time.
