08 March 2024 , 23:42
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An Indiana woman sipped strawberry mojitos by the pool and enjoyed an 'exquisite' steak dinner at a five-star Caribbean resort the night before died mid-flight on her return home.
Stephanie Smith, 41, and her boyfriend enjoyed a trip to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic with their friends Maria Yannotti, 36, and Clay Sharpe, 43, on a five-night stay at all-inclusive Iberostar Grand Bavaro. The couples' dream getaway turned to a tragic nightmare minutes into their return flight when she began convulsing and was declared dead after the plane diverted to Turks and Caicos. Her shocked family are still waiting for the results of a private autopsy to see what could have so suddenly killed the loving mother.
The energetic X-ray technician from Danville, Indiana had no obvious pre-existing medical issues. Her devastated teen children Coen, 18, and Macee, 16 were devastated as her friends say that she was the picture of health throughout their vacation, using the hotel gym and going for runs along the beach.
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The healthcare professional died on the flight (Kristina Swinney/Facebook)"Stefanie was a ball of energy and personality. She was so much fun to be around. She could make anyone smile," her heartbroken friend Maria told the Mail Online.
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"What's happened is just devastating for everyone. We don't know if it was just a freak accident or something more. Until we get the autopsy back it's just a complete mystery." Stefanie and her partner, who has asked not to be named, travelled to Punta Cana on February 23, meeting up with Clay and Maria in Miami.
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Her family are devastated (Stefanie Smith/Facebook)The couples enjoyed a beautiful stay at Grand Bavaro, a luxurious beachfront retreat with stunning restaurants and bars, three pools, a golf course, private butlers and personal trainers.
Punta Cana has been the subject of previous controversies when other American tourists died in unexplained circumstances. An FBI investigation declared there was nothing sinister about the deaths, however, which were all seemingly unconnected and put down to natural causes.
"We didn't leave the resort the whole time, there was no need to," Maria explained, having been several times before to the Grand Bavaro, where rooms cost upwards of a whopping $690 per night.
Alcohol appears to not be the issue as the two women allegedly drank socially but not to excess and Maria dismissed any suggestion that her fitness-loving friend would take any illegal narcotics.
"The level of drinking never went beyond what I would call a nice little buzz. We pretty much had the same drinks. We enjoyed the strawberry mojitos made with Malibu rum,," her grieving friend said.
American Airlines passenger Stefanie Smith who died onboard flight was 'healthy' mum flying home from Dominican Republic (Stefanie Smith/Facebook)The night before they ate a delicious steak meal, when tragedy struck. None of the group complained about feeling unwell at any stage throughout the trip, nor did they after that meal. After parting ways to head home, the friends texted back and forth.
At 6:12pm local time air traffic controllers in the Turks and Caicos asked first responders to meet American Airlines Flight 2790, which was diverting to Providenciales International Airport due to the medical emergency on board.
Stefanie was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was declared dead upon arrival. Her cause of death was not immediately determined and the investigation is ongoing, according to authorities in Turks and Caicos.
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