A mom of two from Indiana was headed home from the Dominican Republic after a dream vacation when the trip turned into a nightmare. Stefanie Smith, 41, became ill on February 28 during American Airlines Flight 2790 from Punta Cana to Charlotte, North Carolina. Her illness reportedly caused the plane to land in Turks and Caicos, where she was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Smith's brother, Chris Volz, told the New York Post his sister was healthy before her death and had no known pre-existing conditions. The family plans to send a doctor to the Caribbean to perform an autopsy before taking Smith's body back to the United States.
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Smith appeared to be fine when she headed out on vacation.
According to her brother, Smith and her boyfriend were traveling with another couple on a tropical vacation. He said there was no indication anything was wrong with his sister in the days leading up to her death.
"Everything I've seen in videos, they had a great time," he told the Post.
He added that no one was aware of any pre-existing conditions, and as far as he knew, his sister was a perfectly healthy mother.
But something went wrong during her final flight.
According to a release from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Smith fell ill during a flight from the Dominican Republic, and the plane was diverted.
"At 6:12 pm, the Police Control Room received a call from the Air Traffic Control Tower requesting medical assistance for a 41-year-old female, who at the time was receiving Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The flight was en route from the Dominican Republic to Charlotte, USA. A medical team, along with police units, were dispatched, and the patient was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where she died. A post-mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death," the release reads.
Her death came as a total shock.
Volz told the Post that his parents told him about Smith's death, and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He said his family plans to have an autopsy performed by an American doctor before his sister's body is brought back to the US for a celebration of life. He added that he will miss his sister, who "always wanted to affirm her love."
She leaves behind a son and a daughter.
A GoFundMe account started by friend Kristi Spratt described Smith as an "amazing mother" to her children, Coen and Macee.
"The love she shared with Coen and Macee cannot be measured or described in words. Also, her endless love for her family, friends, and community will leave a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her," Spratt wrote.
She asked for prayers for the family as they work through "these times of unexpected sadness."
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Donors shared kind words with the family.
The GoFundMe page has raised nearly $78,000 thus far, surpassing its original $75,000 goal. Commenters left messages of prayer and hope.
"Stefanie was a bright and beautiful person. Her smile, her laugh and positive attitude. She made all those around her feel cared for and loved. Our hearts go out to Volz and Smith families. She will be missed!" one person wrote.
One person was there when she fell ill. "I was on the flight and am thinking about and praying for her children and all friends and family during this difficult time," the person commented.
Smith will not be forgotten.
"I can't begin to imagine the pain the family is experiencing during this difficult time. Stefanie made it known that her family meant the world to here. I am so sorry for your loss. Stefanie will forever be missed," another comment reads.
