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

• Stefanie Smith died after falling ill on a flight from the Dominican Republic on February 28
• Her brother tells PEOPLE that while they await an official decision, initial reports indicate she suffered a “medical tragedy” on the plane
• “There was nothing anyone could do to save her,” he says

A woman who died after becoming ill on an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic last month died after suffering a “medical tragedy,” according to her family.

Stefanie Smith was traveling to Charlotte, NC on Feb. 28 when she became ill “mid-flight,” the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said earlier. The 41-year-old mother of two was taken to a Turks and Caicos hospital after the emergency landing and was later pronounced dead.

Chris Volz, Smith’s brother, tells PEOPLE that while they await the official report, initial information indicates that she suffered a “medical tragedy” on the plane and that her preliminary cause of death is a carotid artery dissection.

A carotid dissection is a tear in the carotid artery that supplies blood to the brain, according to Cedars Sinai. They can “occur suddenly” and “with no known cause,” although they are “often caused by neck injury” or medical conditions “that can weaken the artery walls.”

Speaking to ABC News, Volz said a forensic pathologist contacted the family with the information on Wednesday. The outlet reported that there was no indication of foul play.

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“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 children.

Courtesy of Chris Volz

Last week, friend Maria Yannotti told ABC News that Smith appeared healthy during the trip, including right before the flight.

“She loves going to the gym every day, even when we were in the Dominican,” Yannotti said at the time. “Every morning she got up to go to the gym and run on the beach.”

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

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

Stefanie Smith and brother Chris.

Courtesy of Chris Volz

Volz, who tells PEOPLE that the family only recently learned that Smith also has high blood pressure, says she was on the plane with her boyfriend when the tragedy happened.

“All we know is that he woke up, saw her eyes rolled in the back of her head, and then she let out a wailing sound,” he says. – Then she still had a pulse, she was breathing a little.

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Stefanie Smith and children.

Courtesy of Chris Volz

Smith’s brother tells PEOPLE they are “still waiting to get her back to America so we can continue celebrating life.”

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

“She was just a mom who loved life and always saw the good in people,” her brother tells PEOPLE. “She always loved her children more than anything. She would do anything for her children and they knew it.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education