Former NCAA Woman of the Year Karenna Groff and Family Killed in New York Plane Crash

Karenna Groff, a 25-year-old former NCAA Woman of the Year and standout MIT athlete, tragically died alongside five family members in a plane crash near Copake, New York, on April 12, 2025.

Photo Via: Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA

The group was en route to celebrate her birthday and Passover when their twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, piloted by her father, Dr. Michael Groff, crashed into a field after missing its approach to Columbia County Airport.

The crash claimed the lives of Karenna's parents, Dr. Michael Groff, a Harvard Medical School associate professor, and Dr. Joy Saini, a urologist; her brother, Jared Groff; his partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte; and Karenna's partner, James Santoro. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, with early reports indicating no distress call was made before the crash.

Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA PhotosKarenna Groff was recognized as the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022, honoring her academic achievements, athletic excellence, and community service.

She was a two-time All-American forward on the MIT women's soccer team and co-founded openPPE, a project aimed at designing and distributing protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time of her death, Groff was pursuing a medical degree at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Her partner, James Santoro, an MIT graduate and investment associate, had planned to propose this summer.

The Groff family's youngest member, Anika, was not on the flight. The community mourns the loss of a family remembered for their remarkable achievements and contributions to society.