Ketamine and alcohol were detected in the system of Victoria Zardoya, a 20-year-old friend of Milania Giudice, star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, at the time of her fatal fall on July 24. Autopsy results revealed that Zardoya died from craniocerebral trauma, also known as a traumatic brain injury, with her death listed as an accident.
Zardoya, a student at the University of Tampa, suffered a catastrophic brain injury after falling down multiple flights of stairs while exploring the historic Fort Dade ruins on Egmont Key, Florida. She was airlifted to a hospital but died two days later from her injuries. The autopsy report obtained by The Daily Mail also noted the presence of norketamine, a metabolite of ketamine, and etomidate, an anesthetic agent, in her blood.
It remains unclear when Zardoya ingested the ketamine and alcohol. Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic, but its use for psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety has also emerged as an experimental treatment. Possession or use without a valid prescription is illegal.
Zardoya's death was initially announced by her father and RHONJ star Joe Giudice, who described it as a "simple fall." A friend of Zardoya's, Victoria Silberbusch, shared that Zardoya had flown to Florida for a weekend visit with friends. Silberbusch recounted the incident, stating that the group was preparing to leave when Zardoya fell. "Everything changed in a matter of seconds," she wrote, detailing the immediate efforts to reach Zardoya and call for emergency services.
Paramedics responded by boat, and a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to the hospital. Friends and first responders reportedly worked tirelessly to assist her after the fall.
Joe Giudice expressed his grief on social media, calling Zardoya "like a daughter" and highlighting the fragility of life. "To think that a simple fall while just being young and having fun could take such a beautiful life is heartbreaking," he wrote.
Zardoya's organs, including her heart, lungs, kidneys, and pancreas, were donated following her death. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office confirmed their Marine Unit responded to reports of an individual falling from a structure on Egmont Key on July 24.