New York Plane Crash
A devastating plane crash in rural upstate New York has left a once-promising future extinguished and a close-knit family shattered, as former NCAA Woman of the Year Karenna Groff and five of her loved ones were killed in a tragic accident on April 12, 2025. The crash, which took place near the small town of Copake, has sent shockwaves through communities across the country, from Massachusetts to New York and beyond.
A Rising Star Lost
Karenna Groff, 25, was the embodiment of intellect, athleticism, and compassion. A dual-sport athlete at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she had been named the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a college athlete. She excelled both on and off the field, captaining MIT’s women’s soccer team and also competing in track and field, while earning a degree in biological engineering—a demanding course of study by any measure.
After graduation, Groff pursued her dream of becoming a physician. She enrolled in New York University’s prestigious Grossman School of Medicine, where she was well on her way to following in the footsteps of her accomplished parents, both doctors themselves. Her academic record was matched by her humanitarian drive: she worked as an EMT, participated in groundbreaking medical research, and volunteered in underserved communities.
Groff was not just known for what she did, but for who she was—a vibrant, focused, and deeply compassionate individual. “She lit up every room she walked into,” said a close friend. “She wasn’t just the smartest or the most talented—she was the most genuine.”
She had been in Copake to celebrate her 25th birthday with family and loved ones when the tragedy struck.
The Victims: A Family Woven Together by Love and Achievement
Along with Karenna Groff, five others were killed in the crash:
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Dr. Michael Groff, 67 – Karenna’s father, a respected spinal surgeon and licensed pilot with decades of flying experience.
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Dr. Joy Saini, 66 – Her mother, a physician known for her work in internal medicine and public health.
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Jared Groff, 30 – Karenna’s older brother, who worked in renewable energy and was described as “a thoughtful soul with a fierce intellect.”
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Alexia Couyutas Duarte, 28 – Jared’s partner, a talented artist and graduate student in architecture.
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James Santoro, 26 – Karenna’s longtime partner, a data analyst and aspiring author.
The family had taken off from JFK Airport aboard a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft piloted by Dr. Groff himself. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the flight was en route to the Albany area when the pilot requested a change in approach due to poor visibility. Shortly afterward, communication was lost.
The wreckage was discovered the following morning in a wooded area near a small airstrip in Copake. The impact was catastrophic, and there were no survivors.
An Investigation Underway
The NTSB has launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary radar data shows the plane descended rapidly after losing communication with air traffic control. Weather at the time was reported to be cloudy with light precipitation, but not severe. However, experts have noted that the MU-2B aircraft has a complex handling reputation, and despite Dr. Groff’s extensive experience, investigators will be looking at both mechanical and human factors.
It may take up to a year for a full report to be released, but early indicators suggest a combination of poor visibility, terrain awareness issues, and approach complications may have contributed to the tragedy.
National Mourning and Local Grief
The loss of the Groff family has resonated nationally, particularly in academic and athletic circles. MIT issued a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of “a brilliant scholar-athlete whose presence inspired a generation of students.” NYU’s medical school held a candlelight vigil for Karenna and her family, attended by hundreds of students, faculty, and friends.
In Weston, Massachusetts, where the family lived, neighbors remembered them as humble and kind-hearted, despite their many accolades. “They were the kind of people who gave more than they ever took,” said one neighbor. “This is a hole that will never be filled.”
At MIT, flags were flown at half-mast. Former teammates described Karenna as “a force of nature” who “showed us how to be better people.” Tributes poured in from across the country, including from former NCAA winners and athletes she had mentored during her time as a student-athlete ambassador.
The Legacy They Leave
In the face of unbearable tragedy, those who knew the victims are now turning to remembrance and legacy. Several initiatives are already being organized in their honor:
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A Karenna Groff Memorial Scholarship is being established at MIT, supporting young women in STEM who also participate in athletics.
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NYU Medical School has proposed a Community Health Fellowship in her name to support medical students working in underserved areas.
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Friends of Jared and Alexia are planning a foundation to promote sustainability and the arts, respectively.
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James Santoro’s unfinished novel, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story, is being prepared for posthumous publication.
These efforts are a testament to the far-reaching impact the victims had in their communities—and the countless lives they touched.
A Moment to Reflect
As the investigation continues and the shock of loss reverberates, this tragedy stands as a stark reminder of life’s fragility. A family that embodied purpose, brilliance, and compassion is now gone, leaving a void that can never truly be filled.
Yet, through the pain, those left behind are striving to carry forward the values they lived by: service, excellence, and love.
For Karenna Groff and her family, the skies were not a limit—they were a path to connection, discovery, and joy. And though they are gone, their light continues to shine!
