Mystery as 'healthy' mom, 41, dies on board flight home from vacation
Friends and family of a 'healthy' mom who died on board a flight from a vacation have been left shocked after her sudden death.
Stefanie Smith, 41, was retuning home from the Dominican Republic with her boyfriend and another couple last month when she fell ill mid-flight.
The flight from Punta Cana to Charlotte, North Carolina, was just a few minutes into its journey when Smith took a turn for the worse.
Flight 2790 - an American Airlines flight - was diverted to the Turks and Caicos islands as CPR was performed on Smith by doctors and nurses on board the flight.
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Smith - who family say had no pre-existing health conditions - was later declared dead after being taken to hospital.
Speaking to the New York Post, her brother Chris Volz said: "Everyone's in shock, just waiting for news. There are still a lot of unknowns."
Smith was apparently chatting happily as she boarded the flight, interacting with her fellow passengers.
"I had a chance to see your sister-in-law and her husband/companion board and shared a laugh," wrote Melanie McAuley Glab, who claims to have been a passenger on the flight.
"I'm so very sorry for your loss!"
When the aircraft touched down at Providenciales International Airport, first responders met it on the tarmac.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands released further details in a statement uploaded to its Facebook account.
"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," it wrote.
"A medical team, along with police units, were dispatched, and the patient was transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, where she died."
A GoFundMe page has since been set up in honour of Smith, with close to $80,000 raised at the time of writing.
The money raised is said to be going to Smith's two teenage children, Coen and Macee.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the unexpected tragic passing of Stefanie Smith at the young age of 41," the fundraiser said.
"Stefanie was a daughter, sister, best friend, and an amazing mother of two beautiful 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."
Smith's family are now sending their own doctor to the Caribbean to conduct an autopsy before the body is brought back to Indianapolis.
Her funeral will take place on Sunday (March 10).
Callum Jones