Victoria Zardoya, a 20-year-old close childhood friend of reality TV personality Milania Giudice, died after falling from historic ruins at Fort Dade on Egmont Key, an island off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. The incident occurred on July 26, 2026, while Zardoya was exploring the ruins with Giudice and a group of friends.
Initially, those present believed Zardoya had only fallen one level. "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," wrote Victoria Silberbusch, who was vacationing with Giudice and Zardoya, in an Instagram post shared by Giudice. "We immediately began climbing down to reach her while others called 911."
Friends launched flares to help emergency responders locate them quickly. Responders from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit arrived at the scene, and a medical helicopter was called to transport Zardoya to a nearby hospital, where she died.
The area where Zardoya fell is part of the historic military battery structures on Egmont Key, an island that was established in 1868 during the Spanish-American War.
Joe Giudice, Milania Giudice's father, reflected on Zardoya's close relationship with his family, stating, "We were neighbors for years, and you became part of our family. I can’t believe you’re gone." He added, "To think that a simple fall while just being young and having fun could take such a beautiful life is heartbreaking. You were only 20 years old, with your whole future ahead of you." Other family members, including Teresa, Gia, and Audriana Giudice, also shared public condolences.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.