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Tragedy struck upstate New York over the weekend when a twin-engine plane crashed in Copake, claiming the lives of six people, including 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year and former MIT soccer standout, Karenna Groff.
The plane identified as Mitsubishi MU-2B was on its way to Columbia County Airport located in Hudson, New York, when it fell into an open field approximately 20 miles southeast of its final destination. As per the reports of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the investigation is still on.
The death of Groff, along with that of her family and partner, was confirmed by officials in statements to the New York Times and Associated Press.
Who Was Karenna Groff?
From Weston, Massachusetts, Karenna Groff was a clear-cut star on the field and in the classroom. As a forward on the MIT women’s soccer team, she earned Division III All-American honors and became the second-highest goal scorer in the school's history, with 50 career goals. She also tied a school record by scoring four goals in a single match against Worcester State in 2019.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Groff was dedicated to academics and community service. She majored in biomedical engineering and, in 2021, was named a First-Team Academic All-American after previously receiving Second-Team honors in both 2020 and 2022.
Innovation Amidst Pandemic and Prestigious Recognition
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Groff co-founded a company to design better protective masks for essential workers. This work on and off the field earned her the highest honors from the NCAA.
In 2022, Groff was recognized as an NCAA Woman of the Year in honor of her distinguished achievements in athletics, academics, and service.
“Really, this recognition is a testament to my MIT women's soccer family and all of the guidance, support and friendship they have provided for me over the years,” Groff said in a 2023 interview.
Family, Love, and a Future Cut Short
Karenna had recently graduated from MIT and was pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, where she had enrolled as a medical student. According to NYU, she was already making a powerful impact.
“Karenna demonstrated exceptional skill and unwavering passion towards the care of patients and the mission of our institution," an NYU spokesperson said.
"We will remember her for her warmth, her grace, her kindness, her outstanding accomplishments, and the pure joy she brought to our community."
Her life was tragically cut short alongside those of her loved ones. A joint family statement identified the victims as:
- Karenna Groff
- Her parents, Dr. Michael Groff and Dr. Joy Saini
- Her brother, Jared Groff, a paralegal
- Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte, who was set to begin studies at Harvard Law School
- Karenna’s partner, James Santoro, whom she met at MIT
“The World Lost a Lot of Good People”
The devastating news has left friends, families, and institutions across the country in mourning. Speaking to the Associated Press, John Santoro, the father of Karenna’s partner James, shared heartfelt sentiments.
“They were a wonderful family,” he said.
“The world lost a lot of very good people who were going to do a lot of good for the world if they had the opportunity. We're all personally devastated.”
As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, communities at MIT, NYU, and beyond are left remembering a life of purpose, passion, and promise—gone too soon.
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