Alexia Cuyutas Duarte, a 24-year-old Miami native and recent graduate of Swarthmore College, had dreams of attending Harvard Law School and making significant contributions to immigration law. She was deeply admired by her family, particularly her sister Maria Claudia, who spoke of Alexia’s ambition and dedication. Alexia and her partner, Jared Groff, also a Swarthmore alum, were inseparable since they started dating in college. Tragically, the couple died in a plane crash during a Passover celebration in the Catskills, alongside three members of Jared’s family.
The incident was part of a series of recent aviation disasters, including the crash of a Cessna in Boca Raton and a helicopter accident in New Jersey. Born to entrepreneurial parents in Miami, Alexia spent part of her childhood commuting between Colombia and Venezuela for school. After returning to Miami, she excelled academically, eventually studying abroad at the London School of Economics before graduating with honors from Swarthmore.
Alexia intended to honor her mother’s sacrifices by pursuing law, a goal she had been steadfast in since childhood. Friends and family described her as dedicated and selfless, always supporting her siblings and friends wholeheartedly. In her final days, she shared excitement for her upcoming future, only for it to be cut short by the tragic plane crash. Survivors include her siblings Maria Claudia and Ariana, as well as her mother and other family members. A private service is planned, with a memorial ceremony at the beach, a place Alexia cherished.
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