Victoria Zardoya, a 20-year-old college student, has been remembered by family and friends following her death after a devastating fall at the historic Fort Dade ruins on Egmont Key, Florida.
Zardoya was visiting the island with friends on July 24, 2026, when she suffered severe injuries after falling while the group was exploring the historic ruins. She was rescued from the site and airlifted to a hospital, but she later died from the injuries she sustained.
The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently confirmed that Zardoya’s cause of death was craniocerebral trauma, with the manner of death ruled an accident.
What Happened to Victoria Zardoya?
According to an account shared by her friend Victoria Silberbusch at the request of Zardoya’s family, the group had been spending time on Egmont Key when they visited the remains of Fort Dade.
The friends initially believed Zardoya had fallen only a short distance. They soon realized that she had fallen considerably farther than first thought and immediately began trying to reach her.
Other members of the group called 911 and used flares from nearby boats to help emergency responders locate the remote area.
Paramedics eventually reached the scene by boat, while a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to a hospital for treatment.
Despite the rescue effort and medical treatment, Zardoya died from her injuries.
Victoria Zardoya Cause of Death
The medical examiner later established the medical cause of Zardoya’s death as craniocerebral trauma, referring to serious trauma involving the head and brain.
The manner of death was officially classified as an accident. This provides a clearer account of the circumstances than the initial reports, which described only the serious injuries she suffered in the fall.
The fatal incident occurred on July 24, while Zardoya died several days later. A local report citing Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office information stated that she was pronounced deceased on July 27.
Victoria Zardoya at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Victoria Zardoya |
| Age | 20 |
| Location of incident | Egmont Key, Florida |
| Historic site | Fort Dade ruins |
| Date of fall | July 24, 2026 |
| Date pronounced deceased | July 27, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Craniocerebral trauma |
| Manner of death | Accident |
| Emergency response | Boat rescue and medical helicopter |
| Education | University of Tampa student |
| Status | Deceased |
Remembered as a University of Tampa Student
Zardoya was a student at the University of Tampa, according to reports following her death.
Her death also drew attention because of her longtime friendship with Milania Giudice. Members of the Giudice family publicly mourned Zardoya, with Joe Giudice describing her as someone who had become like a daughter to him after growing up alongside his family.
Milania also shared memories of her longtime friend following the tragedy, reflecting the depth of their relationship.
Friends Tried to Save Her
The account from Silberbusch described an immediate response from the group after the fall.
Friends stayed with Zardoya while waiting for emergency personnel and tried to keep her comfortable. Others contacted authorities and worked to make the remote location easier for rescuers to find.
The medical evacuation from Egmont Key was particularly challenging because the island is accessible only by boat or other watercraft.
The circumstances have remained deeply painful for those who witnessed the accident.
Calls for Greater Safety at Fort Dade
Following Zardoya’s death, friends also began calling for improvements to safety measures around the historic Fort Dade ruins.
A safety request circulated asking the Florida Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to inspect the area, improve warning signs and consider barriers or railings around dangerous elevated sections of the historic structure.
The request was framed as an effort to prevent another visitor from suffering a similar tragedy while preserving access to the historic site.
Family and Friends Mourn Victoria Zardoya
For those closest to Zardoya, her death represented the sudden loss of a young woman whose life was still unfolding.
Her friends remembered the final outing as something that had begun as an ordinary day on the water before becoming a devastating emergency.
Tributes from people who knew her, along with messages from the Giudice family, have continued to reflect the impact of her death.
Victoria Zardoya was 20 years old when she died after the accidental fall at Fort Dade on Egmont Key.
Her death was ultimately attributed to craniocerebral trauma, with the medical examiner ruling the manner of death an accident.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from local authorities, the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office as quoted by established media outlets, and accounts shared by people close to Victoria Zardoya. Details may be updated if additional official information or family announcements become available.