The woman who died suddenly while flying home to Indiana following a Dominican Republic vacation had suffered from a tragic medical condition, an autopsy revealed.
Stefanie Smith, 41, died from a carotid artery dissection in her neck on Feb. 28, a forensic pathologist told her family Wednesday, according to ABC News.
“It was truly a tragic medical event that happened,” Smith’s brother Chris Volz told the outlet.
Stefanie Smith died suddenly on a flight home from the Dominican Republic after suffering spontaneous convulsions. Facebook/Stefanie Smith
Smith had just spent five nights at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana with her boyfriend and another couple. Iberostar Grand BávaroThe condition can compromise blood flow to the brain and lead to a stroke, the National Institute of Health said.
There was no foul play involved in the mysterious death of the seemingly healthy mother of two, which had baffled her family members and the public at large after making headlines earlier this month.
Smith had just enjoyed a five-night stay at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana with her boyfriend and another couple.
She had gone jogging every morning of the trip and had sipped poolside mojitos and eaten a steak dinner the night before becoming fatally ill, her friend said.
“It’s five-star, very secure. I always felt very safe. The food was great. Everything was very clean, very upkept,” her traveling partner Maria Yannotti had told The Daily Mail, adding that no one in the group felt unwell while staying at the resort.
Smith, 41, of Indiana, pictured with her friend and travel partner Maria Yannotti. Facebook/Maria Yanotti“Stefanie was a ball of energy and personality. She was so much fun to be around. She could make anyone smile,” Yannotti lamented, as she remembered the fun trip that turned into a tragedy.
Shortly after boarding her plane to the states, Smith began convulsing in her seat.
The aircraft was diverted to Turks and Caicos, where she was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Smith left behind two teenage children after her death, which was ruled to be a carotid artery
dissection, her brother reportedly said. Facebook/Stefanie SmithHer body was expected to be returned to the US next week, Volz told the network.
Smith left behind an 18-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter.
“Stefanie was a daughter, sister, best friend, and an amazing mother of two beautiful children,” read a fundraising site that had garnered some $94,000 in donations for her children.
“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.”
