Stefanie Smith: Indiana mother-of-2 who died mid-air on American Airlines flight had a tear in neck artery

HENDRICKS COUNTY, INDIANA: Stefanie Smith, the Indiana mother-of-two, who died last month on February 28 while flying home from a vacation in the Dominican Republic died from a condition which had altered blood circulation to her brain.

The 41-year-old from Danville in Indiana suddenly went into convulsions due to which the American Airlines flight 2790 had to be diverted. 

Stefanie Smith suffered carotid artery dissection

According to Smith's brother, Chris Volz, she died from a tear to one of her neck arteries. The condition is called carotid artery dissection, as reported to NBC News.

According to the National Library of Medicine, it "is a condition whereby the layers of the carotid artery are spontaneously separated. This potentially compromises blood flow to certain areas of the brain and can lead to a stroke."

The carotid arteries are major blood vessels that provide the brain's blood supply.

It can also lead to hemorrhage or brain ischemia and according to the NLM, it is the most common cause of strokes in younger patients and requires timely diagnosis to minimize potential morbidity and mortality.

Stefanie Smith's family had demanded answers from the authorities 

Before the cause of death was revealed, the family of Stefanie Smith had asked authorities for answers, revealing they were living in "uncertainty."

Volz previously stated that he was unaware of any pre-existing health conditions his sister might have had.

He mentioned that she was a keen exerciser, continuing her workouts even while on vacation with her boyfriend.

A forensic pathologist contacted Smith's family to tell them she died from a carotid artery dissection in her neck.

"It was truly a tragic medical event that happened," Volz said according to ABC. The results of the autopsy did not suggest any foul play, Volz added.

Stefanie Smith was on vacation with her boyfriend 

According to Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police, where Smith was taken by the diverted flight after she fell ill mid-flight, she received immediate medical attention upon landing.

American Airlines also issued a statement previously, "On Feb. 28, American Airlines flight 2790 with service from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to Charlotte diverted to Providenciales International Airport for the medical needs of a passenger," as reported by Fox News.

Smith’s friend, Maria Yannotti, recounted the harrowing moments on the flight when Smith’s boyfriend witnessed her convulsions, initially mistaking them for a joke before realizing the gravity of the situation.

“Her eyes rolled back and she started convulsing,” Yannotti told ABC News. Medical professionals on the flight intervened with CPR before the emergency landing.

Yannotti also noted that Smith appeared healthy during their five-day vacation at a resort with her boyfriend and another couple preceding the flight.