The family left a legacy of medical, academic and athletics achievements.
The crash of a private plane in upstate New York on April 12 left a legacy of medical, academic and track and field achievements as a family travelling to celebrate their birthday and Passover holidays.
Among the victims was former MIT soccer player Karenna Groff, who was celebrating her 25th birthday, her parents, boyfriend and younger brother. Groff, named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, co-founded Openppe during the Covid-19 pandemic and studied at New York University’s medical school.
Groff’s boyfriend James Santoro is an investment banker. His father, John Santoro, said the two would be greatly overlooked.
“The 25 years we were with James have been the best year of our lives and the joy and love he has brought to us will last a lifetime,” John Santoro said.
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Groff’s brother Jared, 26, is a former basketball player at Swarthmore College and earned over 1,000 points as a point guard for Weston High School before college. His girlfriend, Alexia Quitus Duarte, 24, had recently been accepted into Harvard Law School, but was on board.
“They were all so accomplished, but that wasn’t about their achievements,” John Santoro added, referring to both couples. “Everyone thought of it as such a bright place in their lives. I’m sad for myself and my family, but sad for everyone else who lost them.”
Couyutas Duarte’s younger sister, Maria Claudia Couyutas Duarte, said, “That was her dream – to go to Harvard.”
“I’ve never even met anyone who’s been to Harvard, and it was out of her reach, but she still made it happen,” she added.
NTSB officials were piloted by renowned neurosurgeon and experienced pilot Dr. Michael Groff during the media briefing on April 14th, piloted by an experienced pilot.
His wife, Dr. Joy Sani, was a skilled pelvic surgeon and founder of Boston’s Pelvic Health and Wellness, and was on the flight.
“Michael and Joy were wonderful, warm parents and well-known doctors who cared about their children,” said family friend Jonathan Becker.
(L – R) 2024 Dr. Michael Groff, Karenna Groff, Joy Sanini, and James Santoro. Courtesy John Santoro via the AP
Weather conditions at the time included 400 feet of ceilings and 93% humidity. This was described as “deteriorating” by the NTSB and was called the “absolute minimum” of the instrument flight approach that lands at the airport.
Inman said at a media briefing on April 14 that the NTSB was conducting an investigation and assembled a team to look at air traffic regulations, engine components and avionics equipment.
They hope to fully extract the wreckage by April 15th, and a preliminary report on the cause of the crash will be released within 30 days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
