High school student mourning loss of entire family in upstate New York plane crash that killed all 6 passengers
A high school senior’s life was plunged into tragedy after her entire family was killed in a private jet crash in upstate New York on Saturday.Anika Groff did not accompany her family on the plane that tragically crashed in Copake, near the Massachusetts border.Her parents, neuroscientist Michael Groff and urogynecologist Joy Saini, were killed alongside her two older siblings Karenna and Jared Groff.Anika Groff’s attendance in the same Massachusetts school her eldest siblings graduated from was confirmed in a statement from the Weston school district obtained by the DailyMail.“Two of our graduates, Karenna Groff (2018) and Jared Groff (2017), their parents, and several friends were killed in a small plane crash in New York yesterday.
Their lives ended far too soon, and our hearts are with all those who are grieving this unimaginable and sudden loss,” the statement read.“Out of respect for the family and especially for our student who is grieving the loss of her loved ones, we ask that all members of our community honor their privacy during this deeply personal time.Our role as a school community is to surround them with quiet care, compassion, and space to heal.”James Santoro, Karenna’s boyfriend, and Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duartem, were also killed in the crash.Karenna Groff and James Santoro, both MIT graduates, found success in New York City studying medicine and pursuing finance, respectively.
The couple was reportedly planning on getting engaged this summer.“They were a wonderful family,” said John Santoro, James’ father.“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.”Michael Groff was an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and served as executive director of neuroscience at Rochester Regional Health on top of being an experienced pilot.He met Saini, founder of Boston Pelvic Health and Wellness, while s...