New details about Victoria Zardoya’s death are being revealed thanks to a medical examiner’s report.
According to the autopsy report obtained by Us on Tuesday, November 3, Zardoya’s cause of death was listed as “craniocerebral trauma,” including skull fractures.
The manner of death is listed as “accident (fall from height and injured self).”
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, craniocerebral trauma, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), is damage to the brain caused by an external force, commonly categorized into penetrating and non-penetrating injuries. It results from events like falls, crashes or blows to the head.
Toxicology test results determined that Zardoya was positive for ketamine and norketamine, which is a substance produced when the body breaks down the drug.
Her toxicology results also showed alcohol and etomidate, a medication used for sedation.
An examination from the Sarasota, Florida, medical examiner’s office confirmed Zardoya was an organ donor and was able to donate both of her lungs, heart, liver, both kidneys and more after her death.
Zardoya died on July 24 at the age of 20 from injuries sustained in a fall while exploring the ruins of Fort Dade from the Spanish-American War during a trip to Egmont Key, an island off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida.
Close friend Victoria Silberbusch shared her account of Zardoya’s fatal fall via Instagram “at the request of Victoria Zardoya’s family.”
“What began as a fun, innocent day on the water with both old and new friends ended in an unimaginable and unexpected way,” Silberbusch, who was present during the events, wrote on July 26. “A beautiful 20-year-old woman named Victoria Zardoya, who had flown down to Florida for the weekend to visit friends, sustained fatal injuries due to a devastating fall while we were exploring the historic ruins at Fort Dade on Egmont Key. … We stayed with Victoria and held her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible while we waited for first responders to arrive.”
She continued, “Victoria Zardoya fought hard. Everyone there acted immediately, jumping into action without hesitation.
Milania Giudice, who considered Zardoya her best friend, has been open about her grieving process on social media. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star has also expressed how special her friendship was.
“Victoria, I am so sorry this happened to you. You never deserved this. I would do anything to change it. We had too many plans, too many dreams and too much life left to live together,” Giudice, 20, wrote via Instagram on August 1. “Forever my best friend. Forever my sister. Forever my Victoria 🤍🕊️.”
