Mom Who Died on Flight from Dominican Republic Experienced ‘Medical Tragedy,’ Brother Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Stefanie Smith and kids.Photo:Courtesy of Chris Volz

Courtesy of Chris Volz

The woman whodied after falling illon an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic last month died after experiencing a “medical tragedy,” according to her family.

Stefanie Smith was traveling to Charlotte, N.C. on Feb. 28 when she became unwell “mid-flight,” the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force previously said. The 41-year-old mother of 2 was transported to a hospital in Turks and Caicos following an emergency landing and was later pronounced dead.

Chris Volz, Smith’s brother, tells PEOPLE that while they’re waiting on an official report, early information indicates that she experienced a “medical tragedy” on the plane and that her preliminary cause of death is acarotid artery dissection.

Speaking withABC News, Volz said that a forensic pathologist contacted the family with the information on Wednesday. The outlet reported that nothing indicates foul play was involved.

“There was nothing anyone could do to save her,” her brother tells PEOPLE. “They tried CPR to no avail.”

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Stefanie Smith and kids.Courtesy of Chris Volz

Last week, friend Maria Yannotti told ABC News that Smithseemed healthyduring the trip, including just prior to her flight.

“She loves going to the gym every day, even while we were in the Dominican,” Yannotti said at the time. “She made it a point to get up every morning to go to the gym and run on the beach.”

Speaking with PEOPLE, Volz said his sister “was an amazing person” who “went above and beyond to connect with people and make sure that everybody truly knew how much she appreciated them and how much she loved them.”

He also said she had “coached cheerleading and softball,” did CrossFit and “loved to help people.”

Stefanie Smith and brother Chris.Courtesy of Chris Volz

Volz, who tells PEOPLE the family only recently found out that Smith was also dealing with high blood pressure, says that she was on the plane with her boyfriend when tragedy struck.

“All we know is that he woke up, saw her eyes rolled in the back of her head, and then she kind of made a moaning sound,” he says. “That’s when she still had a pulse, was breathing a little bit.”

Smith’s brother tells PEOPLE they’re “still waiting to get her back to the states so we can proceed with the celebration of life.”

Smith’s body should be returned sometime next week, Volz told ABC News. She leaves behind an 18-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter.

“She was just a mom that she loved life, and she always looked at the good in people,” her brother tells PEOPLE. “She always loved her kids more than anything. She would do anything for her kids, and they knew that.”

source: people.com