Former Lacrosse Player James Santoro Passed Away In A Plane Crash In Upstate NY, Leaving His Parents Heartbroken!

April 16, 2026

This article was last updated by Sangita Budhathoki on April 16, 2026

James Santoro’s parents spoke about how proud they were of his achievements, from his time as a standout lacrosse player at MIT to his transition into finance and investment.

James Santoro was an investment banker and a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He was in a relationship with Karenna Groff, a former MIT soccer player who had been named the NCAA Woman of the Year in 2026.

Tragically, in a plane crash in upstate New York on April 14, 2026.

The crash claimed the lives of Santoro, Groff, and her parents, Dr. Michael Groff, a neuroscientist, and Dr. Joy Saini, a urogynecologist; her brother, Jared Groff; and Jared’s partner, Alexia Couyutas Duarte.

The family had been traveling to the Catskills to celebrate Karenna’s 25th birthday.

The plane, piloted by Michael Groff, crashed into a muddy field shortly after missing its initial approach to Columbia County Airport.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident, though overcast conditions may have impacted visibility.

James Santoro’s Father, John, Spoke Publicly About His Son’s Tragic Passing!

James grew up in Califon, New Jersey, but his parents later moved to Florida.

While details about his mother’s identity and profession are not widely available, John Santoro, his father, has expressed deep grief over the loss of his son and the others in the crash.

Speaking about the loss, he said:

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.

He also shared that the 25 years they had with James were the best years of their lives, adding,

The joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.

Moreover, John reflected on and said they met as freshmen at MIT and had planned to get engaged that summer.

James Santoro Had An Impressive Athletic Career, Especially In Lacrosse!

at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He played as an attacker and had an impressive record, including setting MIT’s single-season assist record with 51 assists.

During that time, he earned the title of NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2019.

His dedication to the sport was evident from his high school days at Delbarton School.

During that time frame, he was an All-League First Team player and a U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-American.

Unfortunately, his 2026 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he remained an academic standout.

Beyond sports, Santoro transitioned into finance and investment, majoring in mathematical economics at MIT.

He worked at Arq Advisors and served as a campus associate at Romulus Capital.

Additionally, he held leadership roles in the Sloan Business Club and was the social chair of Chi Phi Fraternity.

In Case You Didn’t Know

Karenna was named a Woman of the Year by the National Collegiate Athlete Association (NCAA) in 2026.
James was also involved in musculoskeletal research at MIT’s Human Systems Lab.

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Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.

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