Originally appeared on E! Online
New details surrounding Victoria Zardoya‘s fatal fall have emerged.
The longtime friend of Milania Giudice died July 27 three days after sustaininginjuries during a trip to Florida’s Fort Dade ruins, a spokesperson for the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to E! News Aug. 5.
The 20-year-old’s cause of death was attributed to craniocerebral trauma and the manner of death has been ruled an accident.
Following the tragic incident, many of Victoria’s close friends—including multiple members of the Giudice family—grieved their loss on social media while also paying tribute to the late University of Tampa student.
Milania, 20, shared a collection of childhood photos with Victoria on Instagram Stories, writing, “Now I have to remember you for longer than I knew you.”
Meanwhile, her big sister Gia Giudice, 25, posted, “Heaven gained a beautiful angel today. We love you Victoria.”
Milania and Gia’s father Joe Giudice penned a lengthy tribute to Victoria, who he considered a member of their family.
“There are no words for this kind of pain,” The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum shared on Instagram July 27. “Victoria, you were like a daughter to me. I watched you grow up with my daughter Milania. We were neighbors for years, and you became part of our family. I can’t believe you’re gone.”
“To think that a simple fall while just being young and having fun could take such a beautiful life is heartbreaking,” Joe, 54, added. “You were only 20 years old, with your whole future ahead of you. Life is so fragile. In one moment, everything can change. Please don’t take a single day or the people you love for granted.”
Victoria’s friend Victoria Silberbusch—who was touring the historic Egmont Key site with her on July 24—even shared insight into the moments leading up to Victoria’s deadly fall down stairs.
“At first, we thought Victoria had fallen only one level,” she wrote on Instagram July 26 alongside photos from the day. “We ran to the edge, calling out to her, but quickly realized she had fallen much farther than we first believed.”
While part of the group “immediately began climbing down” to get to Zardoya, Silberbusch said that others called 911 before locating on a nearby boat “launched flares to help first responders locate us as quickly as possible.”
“We stayed with Victoria and held her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible while we waited for first responders to arrive,” Silberbusch added. “Paramedics responded by boat, and a medical helicopter was eventually able to transport her to the hospital after an incredibly difficult rescue.”
For a look back at Victoria’s friendship with Milania over the years, keep reading…
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