The tragic incident, which occurred during a boating tour with friends on July 24, drew heartfelt tributes from loved ones and the close-knit community.
The Incident at Fort Dade on Egmont Key
The trip to the remote Florida island turned catastrophic late in the afternoon on Friday, July 24, 2026. According to emergency logs from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to an incident on Egmont Key just before 5 p.m. and remained on the scene until 11:16 p.m.
Friends accompanying Zardoya on the excursion recounted the harrowing moments following the accident. Victoria Silberbusch, part of the touring group, described the sudden shift in events as the friends prepared to leave the area.
“We had actually been getting ready to leave and head to another spot when it all happened… Everything changed in a matter of seconds. At first, we thought Victoria had fallen only one level. We ran to the edge, calling out to her, but quickly realized she had fallen much farther than we first believed. We immediately began climbing down to reach her while others called 911. Friends back at the boats launched flares to help first responders locate us as quickly as possible, and additional calls were made to communicate just how urgent the situation was.”
Victoria Silberbusch, friend
Fort Dade, situated at the mouth of Tampa Bay, is accessible exclusively by boat and remains a popular tourist destination for visitors exploring the historic ruins.
Rescue Efforts and Medical Response
Following the 911 calls and emergency signals from the island, paramedics arrived by boat to reach the remote location. Due to the severity of the injuries sustained in the fall, a medical helicopter was dispatched to transport Zardoya to a hospital.
Silberbusch emphasized that the group maintained constant contact with the injured student throughout the arduous rescue operation, noting that no one hesitated
to jump into action. Victoria was never alone. From the moment she fell, every person there did everything within their power to help her,
Silberbusch stated.
Despite the medical intervention and emergency transport, Zardoya succumbed to her injuries two days later on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Community Tributes and Memorials
Zardoya, who had roots in Morristown and Montville, New Jersey, was a student at the University of Tampa. Loved ones and friends shared memories across social media, remembering her as a vibrant presence in their lives.
The loss resonated deeply among her peers, including childhood best friend Milania Guidice, daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey
star Teresa Guidice. Giudice, who also attends the University of Tampa, reshared numerous photographs and tributes on her Instagram story to honor her lifelong friend.
Friends and family members highlighted the fragility of everyday life in their public statements following the tragedy.