News
American Mother of two, Stefanie Smith “died of natural causes”
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 26, 2024 – An American visitor who was rushed to Providenciales on February 28th in an emergency landing and suddenly passed away was found to have died of natural causes.
After waiting two weeks for an autopsy, the family of 41-year-old Stefanie Smith was told by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force that there was no foul play in her death.
Smith left behind two children, Macee 16, and Coen 18. She had been returning from the Dominican Republic where she was on vacation. Before her mid-air collapse, she was described as very active and healthy by her family to US media, even exercising while
Her brother, Chris Volz, who has been very vocal with media, told NBC the autopsy revealed a blood vessel in her neck had given out, the official medical term, a carotid artery dissection.
It’s a condition characterized by a separation of blood vessels which can cut off blood supply to the brain causing strokes.
The National Library of Medicine (NIGH) describes the illness as either spontaneous (though it can be caused by Trauma) and difficult to diagnose because of the wide ranging symptoms. A family history of the condition increases the risk. It is very common and accounts for 2.5% of all strokes. It’s also a common cause of stroke patients younger than 40.
Smith began having difficulty on the airplane, her boyfriend reportedly noticed her seizing, and her eyes had rolled back; by the time they landed in the Turks and Caicos, EMS on the plane were already trying to revive her.
At 6:12 p.m police were alerted to the emergency and Emergency Medical Services met her at the airport rushing her to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she died.
Her obituary, posted days after the autopsy was shared describes her as very book smart as well as athletic. She was a certified Radiologist and her ‘greatest love’ is described as her children.
Stephanie was laid to rest on Friday March 22.