Valerie and Ian Stutterheim.Photo:Everloved Obituary
Everloved Obituary
The parents of the sole survivor of an Arizonahot air balloon crash that killed four peopleendured a different tragedy less than two years ago.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, remains in critical condition following the Jan. 14 accident that claimed the lives of four others: Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Mich.; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Ind.; Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, Calif.; and the pilot, Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Eloy, Ariz.
Valerie’s parents, Tony and Martha Stutterheim, shared in aGoFundMe pagethat their daughter suffered a “traumatic brain injury” and has “extensive” injuries.
It’s not the first time the Stutterheims have faced tragedy; in 2022, Valerie’s older brother,Ian Stutterheim, 25, died in a murder-suicide.
Valerie Stutterheim.Everloved Obituary
“Ian was a loving son and brother. He was incredibly protective of his younger sister, Valerie, and often spoke about wishing he could shield her from the hard parts of life,” read Ian’sobituary.
In the GoFundMe for Valerie’s hospital bills, the Stutterheims alluded to Ian’s death without elaborating on the details. “Unfortunately, we know all too well the grief those families are feeling,” they wrote. The parents explained that “less than two years ago,” the family “endured another tragedy."
Ian Stutterheim.Everloved Obituary
The “full long-term effects” of her brain injury and her mobility “remain uncertain.”
“Valerie has a very long road of rehabilitation,” shared her parents, adding that she “currently cannot speak.” Her father shared an update on Monday that Valerie is currently in physical therapy,
Valerie and Ian Stutterheim.Everloved Obituary
The Stutterheims described Valerie as “an extraordinary soul” who is “kind-hearted, empathetic, witty, responsible, and creative."
“The world could use a lot more people like Valerie,” they added.
Valerie and Ian Stutterheim as children.Everloved Obituary
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source: people.com
