The sole survivor of an Arizona hot air balloon crash that killed four people still faces a “very uncertain” future after suffering a traumatic brain injury, according to his parents – who are still grieving the loss of a son in a murder-suicide.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, of Scottsdale, is still unable to walk and talk in a trauma hospital after the Jan. 14 crash in Eloy, a small town about 65 miles northwest of Phoenix known as the “skydiving capital of the world.”
It was her first time riding in a hot air balloon, according to her parents, Tony and Martha Stutterheim, who said their daughter likely “smiled, laughed nervously, and made a few jokes” before dying.
“Valerie’s injuries are severe. He has many broken bones and has undergone numerous surgeries to repair them with the possibility of more to come,” they wrote in an online fundraiser that has raised more than $120,000.
“His bones will eventually heal, but his ability to walk and otherwise move is uncertain.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, the only survivor, suffered a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones. Gofundme
“Perhaps the biggest challenge he faces, however, is the traumatic brain injury he sustained, the full long-term effects of which also remain uncertain. He can’t talk to us now. What we do know is that Valerie has a very long road of recovery and care ahead,” the couple added.
The parents said how they “know all too well the grief” experienced by the family of four who died, including their daughter Atahan Kiliccote, 24, their “dear friend”.
“For those who don’t know our family, it was less than two years ago when our family experienced another tragedy — the loss of our son, Valerie’s brother, Ian,” they wrote.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, with her brother Ian, 25, who died in 2022. Gofundme
“Now, as we still grieve the loss, our Valerie lies in a bed in a trauma hospital, her future very uncertain.”
The couple did not elaborate on Ian’s death, but news accounts at the time said he was killed during a domestic violence incident that ended in a murder-suicide.
Kevin McManis, 31, shot Stutterheim and Tianna Guglielmo, 31, before shooting himself, the Arizona Republic reported on June 16, 2022.
Kaitlynn “Katie” Bartrom, 28, was killed in the crash. Ihsan’s family
Investigators learned that Guglielmo and McManis were married, but living separately, while Stutterheim was his colleague and friend.
Guglielmo reportedly survived the shooting but Stutterheim died.
Her sister was one of 13 people aboard the balloon, eight of whom made skydives before the crash that killed four people: Kiliccote and Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Michigan, Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Indiana, and pilot Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Eloy.
His “best friend” Atahan Kiliccote, 24, was among the four killed. Ihsan’s family
“Valerie is an amazing soul. He is kind, empathetic, intelligent, responsible and creative. He helps clean his own table at the restaurant to ease the burden on the staff. He used his extensive woodworking skills to build a sturdy wheelchair ramp for his grandmother,” his parents wrote.
“The world could use more people like Valerie.”
Pilot Cornelius Van Der Walt Courtesy of Family Chayton Wieschole, 28, was killed in the crash. Facebook / Chayton Wiescholek The crash is still under investigation. KTVU
His parents said they don’t yet know what happened, and the accident remains under investigation.
Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board said the balloon crashed after an unspecified problem with its envelope. The agency stated that no mechanical problems were found during the initial inspection of the balloon.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
