In a heartbreaking loss that shakes the core of the sports community, Karenna Groff, the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, has perished in a plane crash.
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Six lives were lost as a private flight crashed in upstate New York.
This tragedy leaves a void, remembering her remarkable contributions and potential yet to be realized.
April 12, 2025, marked a day of grieving with the sudden death of Karenna Groff, famed for leading MIT’s soccer team and co-founding openPPE during the pandemic.
The crash occurred as the family and friends flew to celebrate her 25th birthday in the Catskills. The aircraft crashed near Copake, New York, approximately ten miles from their intended destination at Columbia County Airport.
Investigators uncovered that the pilot, her father, Dr. Michael Groff, requested an alternative landing approach but did not respond to urgent altitude warnings.
Video evidence confirmed the aircraft remained intact until its fatal descent into an agricultural field.
NTSB teams will examine the crash site for potential causes, with a complete report anticipated in 12 to 24 months.
Initial findings indicate a lack of response from the pilot or any distress calls, leaving speculation about the tragic accident’s cause.
Unfortunately, these details offer little comfort to those mourning this tragic loss.
“[Data] appears to show that the aircraft was intact and crashed at a high rate of descent into the ground,” said NTSB official Todd Inman, cited by The Independent.
The Groff family’s flight included her father Dr. Michael Groff, her mother Dr. Joy Saini, her brother Jared, her boyfriend James Santoro, and her brother’s partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte.
Their planned celebration was a tribute to Groff’s vibrant life of academic achievements, medical aspirations, and community service.
The heartbreaking accounts of the family’s intentions for a joyous occasion make the loss even more devastating.
John Santoro, father of Groff’s boyfriend, expressed profound sorrow, highlighting “a lot of very good people who were going to do a lot of good for the world.”
Karenna Groff’s legacy as an athlete, scholar, and visionary leader will endure.
Her prestigious NCAA accolade and commitment to helping others serve as a beacon of inspiration for what she achieved in her short yet impactful life.
As her family and community grieve, thoughts and prayers remain with all those who were touched by her enduring spirit.
Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player named the 2022 NCAA woman of the year, died Saturday along with six other people including members of her family in a plane crash in upstate New York.
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— ESPN (@espn) April 14, 2025
