Her parents, the sole survivors of the Arizona hot air balloon crash that killed four people, say they still face a “very uncertain” future after sustaining traumatic brain injuries. Her parents are still grieving the loss of their son in a murder-suicide.
Scottsdale resident Valerie Stutterheim, 23, was in a trauma hospital after a Jan. 14 crash in Eloy, a small town about 105 miles northwest of Phoenix known as the “skydiving capital of the world.” He continues to be unable to walk or speak.
Her parents, Tony and Martha Statterheim, said it was their first time riding in a hot air balloon and their daughter was “smiling, nervously laughing and cracking jokes” before she nearly died. It is said to have a high level of sexuality.
“Valerie’s injuries are extensive. She has many broken bones and has already undergone many surgeries, with more likely to come,” he wrote in an online fundraiser, which will raise $120,000. Collected more than $1,000.
“Her bones will eventually heal, but her ability to walk and move is unknown.
“But perhaps the biggest challenge she faces is the traumatic brain injury she suffered, the long-term effects of which also remain completely unknown. She is currently unable to speak to us. “What we do know is that Valerie has a very long road of rehabilitation and care ahead of her,” the couple added.
The parents said they were “very aware of the grief” felt by the families of the four people who died, including their daughter’s “dear friend” Atahan Kirikote, 24.
“For those of you who don’t know our family, it was less than two years ago that our family suffered another tragedy: the loss of our son, Valerie’s brother Ian. ” they wrote.
“Right now, while we are still grieving the loss, our Valerie lies in a trauma hospital bed and her future is very uncertain.”
The couple did not go into detail about Ian’s death, but reports at the time said he died during a domestic violence incident that ended in suicide.
Kevin McManis, 31, shot and killed Stutterheim and Tiana Guglielmo, 31, before turning the gun on himself. The Arizona Republic reported June 16, 2022.
Investigators learned that Ms. Guglielmo and Ms. McManis were married but separated, and that Mr. Stutterheim was her colleague and friend.
Guglielmo survived the shooting, but Stutterheim reportedly died.
His sister was one of 13 people on board the balloon, where eight people skydived before the crash that killed four people: Killicoat and Cheyton Wieczorek, 28, of Michigan; , Caitlin Bartrom, 28, of Indiana, and pilot Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37. Eloi.
“Valerie has an extraordinary soul. She is kind-hearted, empathetic, resourceful, responsible, and creative. She clears her own tables at restaurants to ease the burden on staff. “She used her extensive woodworking skills to build a sturdy wheelchair ramp for her grandmother,” her parents wrote.
“The world could use more people like Valerie.”
Her parents said they still don’t know what went fatally wrong and the accident is still under investigation.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said the balloon crashed due to an unknown problem with its envelope. The agency said an initial inspection of the balloon found no mechanical problems.
