CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An investigation is underway after woman from Indiana died from a "medical emergency" on a flight from the Dominican Republic.
Maria Yannotti said she and her friend, Stefanie Smith, went on a couples trip to the Dominican Republic at the end of February.
They were there to celebrate a birthday.
"We had a very good time," said Yannotti. "Then on the way home, something tragic just happened."
Smith and her boyfriend left Punta Cana to catch their connecting flight in Charlotte. The 41-year-old Danville woman was headed to the Indianapolis International Airport when her boyfriend realized something was wrong.
"He said he looked over to her, her eyes were rolled into the back of her head," said Yannotti. "Then she began convulsing."
A flight attendant tried to help, but CPR didn't save her. The plane had to make a medical emergency diversion and land in Turks and Caicos.
Smith was pronounced dead at the hospital there. Her body is still in Turks and Caicos, where her family is still waiting for an autopsy.
It's been more than a week.
"We want answers, we want her body back, we just want her home," said Smith's brother, Chris Volz.
Volz said it could take a while to bring her back home and the process is confusing.
"It's just maybe having a better understanding of what it takes to get that done quicker and I think for a lot of people it's just a lot of unknowns," he said.
According to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, options for transporting a deceased person home depends on local law and practices in the foreign country. It also could require documents such as a consular mortuary certificate, a local death certificate, an affidavit from a local funeral director and a transit permit.
Despite the sudden death of a seemingly healthy mother of two, Smith's family doesn't think there was any foul play.
Volz just misses his sister.
"She was very just someone who always was caring and really cared about other people. Sometimes she put it above herself and everybody knows that," he said. "That's why the outpouring of support from family and friends has been so great. This community has been unbelievable."
They say Smith lived life to the fullest. In her final days, she was doing what she loved - traveling.
"You never know when it's going to be your time to go," said Yonnetti. "Live your life like it’s your last."
