The parents of the sole survivor of a balloon crash in Arizona that killed four people experienced a different kind of tragedy less than two years ago.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, remains in critical condition after the Jan. 14 crash that claimed the lives of four other people: Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Ind.; Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California; and the pilot, Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Eloy, Ariz.
Valerie’s parents, Tony and Martha Stutterheim, shared on the GoFundMe page that their daughter suffered a “traumatic brain injury” and has “severe” injuries.
It’s not the first time the Stutterheims have faced tragedy; 2022 Valerie’s older brother, Ian Stutterheim, 25, dies in a murder-suicide.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/Valerie-Stutterheim-hot-air-balloon-crash-020624-1-1e319cbe0fa74823bc32656290513667.jpg)
Valerie Stutterheim.
Forever loved obituary
Indiana nurse among 4 dead after balloon crash in Arizona: ‘She was a beautiful person’
Ian was shot and killed by Kevin McManis, 31, on June 16, 2022, in Flagstaff, Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic, Fox 10 Phoneix and the Associated Press. McManis shot his estranged wife, Tianna Guglielmo, 31, multiple times before turning the gun on himself. Guglielmo, who survived, was Ian’s colleague.
“Ian was a loving son and brother. He was incredibly protective of his younger sister, Valerie, and often said he wished he could protect her from the difficult parts of life,” Ian’s obituary said.
In the GoFundMe for Valerie’s hospital bills, the Stutterheims alluded to Ian’s death without elaborating. “Unfortunately, we know all too well the grief these families feel,” they wrote. The parents explained that “less than two years ago” the family “survived another tragedy”.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(558x0:560x2)/Ian-Stutterheim-murder-victim-020624-b5975747cc834992ad25009f7a0a3e44.jpg)
Ian Stutterheim.
Forever loved obituary
The “full long-term effects” of her brain injury and her mobility “remain uncertain.”
“Valerie has a very long road to rehabilitation,” her parents shared, adding that she “can’t speak right now.” Her father shared news on Monday that Valerie is currently in physical therapy,
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/Valerie-and-Ian-Stutterheim-hot-air-balloon-crash-020624-2-15b39b5ddd9e49959319097830276e8a.jpg)
Valerie and Ian Stutterheim.
Forever loved obituary
Newlyweds are among 16 victims of hot air balloon crash in Texas
The Stutterheims described Valerie as an “extraordinary soul” who is “kind-hearted, empathetic, witty, responsible and creative.”
“The world could use a lot more people like Valerie,” they added.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(499x0:501x2)/Valerie-and-Ian-Stutterheim-hot-air-balloon-crash-020624-1-459965e42f644d33b8ac91b582397c0c.jpg)
Valerie and Ian Stutterheim as children.
Forever loved obituary
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 celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education