MIT Soccer Star and NYU Med Student Karenna Groff Dies in Tragic Plane Crash

Karenna Groff, a 24-year-old former MIT soccer star and 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, tragically died in a plane crash in upstate New York on April 12, 2025, alongside her immediate family and boyfriend. A biomedical engineer and NYU medical student, she was remembered for her warmth, achievements, and impact.

A Life of Promise Cut Short: The Legacy of Karenna Groff

The skies over upstate New York bore witness to an unspeakable tragedy on April 12, as a small private plane carrying Karenna Groff, her parents, her younger brother, and her boyfriend, James Santoro, went down en route to the Catskills. The Groff family had been traveling to celebrate both a birthday and the sacred traditions of Passover, a journey meant to bring them closer together but which ended in heartbreak. Karenna, a young woman whose brilliance and compassion had already left indelible marks on those around her, was just 24 years old.

Karenna’s story was one of unyielding drive and boundless potential. As a varsity soccer player at MIT, she dazzled on the field, earning accolades that culminated in her recognition as the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2022. But her achievements extended far beyond the pitch. While pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering, she demonstrated an innate ability to marry technical expertise with human empathy. This was perhaps most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she co-founded OpenPPE, an initiative aimed at improving mask designs for essential workers. Her efforts were not merely academic; they were acts of service born from a deep-seated desire to protect those who put themselves at risk for the greater good.

After graduating from MIT, Karenna continued her journey of intellectual and personal growth at NYU, enrolling in medical school to further her pursuit of a career dedicated to healing. Her peers and professors described her as a beacon of positivity and determination, someone who brought light into the room and inspired those around her to strive for excellence. She was not only a scholar and athlete but also a daughter, a sister, and a friend whose warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered.

James Santoro, Karenna’s boyfriend and fellow MIT graduate, shared her passion for innovation and her commitment to making the world a better place. Having recently completed his own studies, James had been planning to propose this summer, a testament to the love and partnership they shared. Their relationship was one of mutual admiration and shared dreams, a bond that promised a future filled with possibility.

The Groff family's plane crash has left a community reeling, not only in their hometown but across the institutions and networks touched by Karenna’s life. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, classmates, colleagues, and friends, each recounting stories of her generosity, intelligence, and the way she made others feel seen and valued. The loss is immeasurable, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact one person can have in such a short span of time.

As the world reflects on Karenna Groff’s legacy, it becomes clear that her contributions were not confined to her own ambitions but extended outward, touching lives in ways that will resonate for years to come. The masks she helped design during the pandemic protected countless individuals, and the example she set as a scholar-athlete continues to inspire young women to pursue their passions unapologetically. Her life, though tragically cut short, serves as a beacon of what it means to live with purpose and heart.

In the wake of this tragedy, one cannot help but consider the threads that connect us all—the shared moments, the unspoken dreams, and the ways we lift one another up. Karenna’s story reminds us to cherish these connections, to celebrate the brilliance in others, and to carry forward the spirit of those who leave us too soon. The Groff family, along with James Santoro, may be gone, but their legacy lives on in the lives they touched and the love they shared.