A 20-year-old woman named Victoria Zardoya died on July 26, 2026, after sustaining fatal injuries from a fall at Fort Dade on Egmont Key, Florida.
Zardoya, a childhood friend of Milania Giudice, was visiting friends for a weekend trip when the incident occurred on July 24 while exploring historic ruins.
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Friends Describe the Accident
Friend Molly Page Morris said she was at the hospital after learning of the accident. "She was flying in from New Jersey to come to Tampa.
I was supposed to hang out with her that evening," Morris said.
Friend Victoria Silberbusch shared a detailed account at the family's request.
"On July 24, 2026, what began as a fun, innocent day on the water ended in an unimaginable way," Silberbusch said.
The group was preparing to leave when Zardoya slipped. "We had been getting ready to leave and head to another spot when it all happened.
Everything changed in a matter of seconds," Silberbusch said.
Friends initially thought she fell one level but realized she had fallen much further. They climbed down to help while others called 911.
Friends on boats launched flares to guide first responders.
"No one hesitated. Every single one of us jumped into immediate action.
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We stayed with Victoria and held her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible," Silberbusch said.
Emergency responders arrived by boat, and a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to a hospital. She died from her injuries on July 26.
Emotional Tributes
Silberbusch reflected on the traumatic event. "There are experiences that divide your life into a before and an after.
This was one of them," she said.
Friend Ross Umentum expressed grief. "The worst day of my life followed by the next worst day of my life.
A beautiful soul taken from us far too soon," Umentum said.
Umentum added, "What was supposed to be one of the best weekends of our lives ended with your parents planning your funeral."
Silberbusch urged people to keep Zardoya's family in their thoughts. "Life is unimaginably precious.
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Hold the people you love a little tighter," she said.
