The tragic cause of death of the passenger who suddenly died while flying home from a Dominican Republic vacation has been revealed.
On February 28, Stefanie Smith was traveling to Charlotte, N.C., with her boyfriend and close friends Maria Yannotti, 36, and Clay Sharpe, 43, after the group stayed at the all-inclusive Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The couple's journey back from vacation turned into tragedy after the 41-year-old suddenly began convulsing soon after takeoff which led to the plane making an emergency landing at Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos.
According to a press release from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Air Traffic Control Tower then requested medical assistance for the late woman, "who at the time was receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation" at 6:12PM.
The police department shared on Facebook: "A commercial flight was diverted to the Turks and Caicos this evening after a female passenger fell ill mid-flight," and added that Smith was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Mystery surrounded the circumstances of the mother-of-two's sudden passing as she was described as "healthy". It has now been disclosed by a forensic pathologist that Smith died from a carotid artery dissection in her neck - which is a condition that can "compromise blood flow to the brain and lead to a stroke," per the National Institute of Health.
Her brother, Chris Volz, spoke out about the shocking revelation, sharing: "It was truly a tragic medical event that happened," and stated that the results of the autopsy do not suggest there was any foul play, as reported by ABC News.
His sister's body is expected to be returned to the US next week.
Smith - who worked at OrthoIndy Hospital in Indianapolis - had gone through a divorce from ex-husband Eric Smith, whom she shares two children with.
Her friend Yannotti told Daily Mail that she met her current partner about a year to a year and a half ago, and shared that she was a "ball of energy" and "the life of the party," per Fox News.
"She's definitely one of a kind. She was a ball of energy. She was always willing to help somebody, excited, always smiling. When I met her … I just knew we were going to click because she was a personality like myself," she said.
"She was just full of life. I mean, she would give anybody a shirt off her back. Sometimes she would put … people before herself, and she loved to have a good time. Loved to laugh. Sing karaoke. Just the life of the party," she added.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Smith's friend Kristi Spratt, and as of the time of writing, $94,375 has been raised of the $100,000 target.
"In lieu of flowers, we would like to raise money for Stefanie’s children to help them through this tragic time and their future endeavors. It is during these times of unexpected sadness and loss when we can come together to help one another make it through. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Coen and Macee Smith," the description read.
"Stefanie will be so deeply missed by every single person who knew her, and we pray that the memory of her kind soul will live on forever. Please keep the family in your prayers during this devastating time," it concluded.
Smith leaves behind an 18-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at his time.
