Toxicology Findings and Official Autopsy Results
A newly released medical examiner’s report has revealed that Victoria Zardoya, the 20-year-old best friend of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Milania Giudice, had ketamine, norketamine, alcohol, and etomidate in her system at the time of her fatal fall in July, Page Six reported in an article published on November 3, 2026. According to the toxicology results obtained from the Sarasota, Florida, medical examiner’s office, Zardoya tested positive for ketamine—a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects—and norketamine, its metabolic byproduct. The screening also detected alcohol and etomidate, a medication commonly utilized for general anesthesia and procedural sedation.
The official cause of death was recorded as craniocerebral trauma, stemming from severe skull fractures and bleeding around the brain. Investigators confirmed that the manner of death was accidental, resulting from a fall from a height. According to detailed accounts from the Us Weekly report published on November 3, 2026, the incident occurred on July 24, 2026, when Zardoya was exploring the historic Fort Dade ruins on Egmont Key, an island located near Tampa Bay, Florida.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Zardoya, who had flown to Florida for the weekend to visit friends, fell down a multi-level flight of stairs while navigating the Spanish-American War-era military ruins on the island. Victoria Silberbusch, a close friend who witnessed the accident and spoke at the request of Zardoya’s family, detailed the harrowing moments following the fall. First responders were called immediately, and bystanders stayed by Zardoya’s side, attempting to keep her comfortable while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
Due to the severity of her injuries, Zardoya was airlifted in critical condition to a nearby hospital, where she ultimately passed away three days later on July 27, 2026. Amid the tragedy, medical examiners confirmed that Zardoya was an registered organ donor, successfully donating her heart, both lungs, liver, both kidneys, and other tissues following her passing, offering a lasting impact through donation.
Wider Impact and Public Reaction
The sudden loss deeply impacted Milania Giudice, who grew up alongside Zardoya as a neighbor and close family friend. Giudice took to social media in August to express her profound grief, describing Zardoya as her sister and best friend. The emotional toll of the tragedy has been visible in the public sphere, intersecting with family tensions and personal health challenges. In September, Milania made headlines following an airport dispute in Tampa involving her mother, Teresa Giudice, and sister, Gia Giudice.
Addressing the emotional aftermath, Milania’s father, Joe Giudice, told Page Six in an exclusive interview that the loss affected his daughter tremendously, noting that grief has no timeline and that Milania has struggled to process the trauma while maturing in the public eye. Last month, Milania publicly shared that she had checked herself into a treatment facility after receiving diagnoses for multiple mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.