A 20-year-old New Jersey woman, Victoria Zardoya, died after falling from historic ruins on Egmont Key, a remote island near Tampa Bay, Florida, according to friends and reports. The incident occurred on Friday while Zardoya was vacationing with friends and touring Fort Dade, a popular but isolated tourist destination accessible only by boat.
Zardoya was a close friend of Milania Guidice, daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Guidice. The Guidice family has shared tributes and condolences on social media, expressing their grief over the loss.
Victoria Silberbusch, a friend of Zardoya, detailed the incident in a social media post, stating that Zardoya fell from the ruins while the group was on a boating tour. Silberbusch described Zardoya's injuries as "brutal" and emphasized that the group immediately called for help, sending flares and contacting emergency services. Paramedics responded by boat, and a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries two days later.
Silberbusch also noted that no one hesitated to assist Zardoya, with the group working together to provide aid. According to service logs from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, authorities responded to the incident, though no further details on the investigation have been publicly released.
Friends and family have continued to post tributes online, honoring Zardoya's memory and expressing their shock and sorrow over the tragic event.