Family of 41-Year-Old Woman Who Died After Falling Ill on Flight Still Uncertain What Caused Her Sudden Death

The brother of Stefanie Smith — the 41-year-old woman who died suddenly after falling ill on an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic last week — shares that the family still isn’t sure what caused her death.

On Feb. 28, Smith was traveling from the Dominican Republic to Charlotte, NC, and became ill “mid-flight,” according to a news release from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police. The aircraft then made an emergency landing at Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos. Smith was transported to a hospital, but died at the facility.

Smith’s brother, Chris Volz, shared with NBC News that the family is still struggling with not knowing what caused her death.

“I would say the uncertainty, not knowing how she died, not knowing when her body will be returned to us, has been the hardest thing lately,” Volz said. “It’s been a week so we’ve gotten over the initial shock. But now it’s uncertainty.”

A woman (41) died after falling ill on an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic

Stock image – american airline.

Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty

He also said that Smith’s “celebration of life” has a tentative date; however, her body was not released from the Turks and Caicos Hospital. He said the family was unsure when they would receive her body and confirmed he had not heard from American Airlines, but “hope to find out soon.”

Volz also talked about her sister’s healthy lifestyle, explaining that she “coached cheerleading and softball when her kids were younger.” Smith was the mother of two children: an 18-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter.

“She was very active,” Volz said. “Right before she left, she was taking pictures with everyone and there was no indication that she was sick.”

Stephanie Smith.

Stefanie Smith/Facebook

A 41-year-old woman who died on a flight from the Dominican Republic appeared healthy before the flight, a friend says

He also previously told ABC News, “She was a special person…Her kids really…love her a lot, and I know she loved them,” Volz said. “And it’s so hard.”

Along with Volz, Smith’s friend Maria Yannotti — who joined her on vacation — also spoke to ABC News. Yannotti said Smith appeared healthy before the flight.

“She loves going to the gym every day, even when 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 said.

Yannotti said Smith rolled her eyes and began squirming in her seat.

Image of an American Airlines Boeing 737-800. Photo courtesy of American Airlines

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Before Smith died, air traffic control requested medical attention for her while she was “receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” at about 6:15 p.m. local time, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police said in a statement on Facebook.

“A medical team was dispatched, along with police units, and the patient was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Center, where she died,” they added. “An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education