Milania Giudice’s Friend Had Ketamine in System, Autopsy Report Says

A newly released medical examiner’s report has revealed disturbing details surrounding the death of Milania Giudice’s childhood friend.

Victoria Zardoya, a 20-year-old University of Tampa student, died on July 26, two days after suffering a devastating brain injury in a fall down several flights of stairs while visiting the historic Fort Dade ruins on Florida’s Egmont Key.

Zardoya was airlifted to a hospital following the fall but succumbed to her injuries two days later.

The autopsy report, obtained by Our News Outlet, states that Zardoya died from craniocerebral trauma, commonly referred to as a traumatic brain injury. Her death was classified as accidental.

Toxicology testing showed that blood collected on July 24, the day of the fall, contained ketamine and norketamine, a substance produced when the body metabolizes ketamine.

Her blood also tested positive for alcohol and etomidate, an anesthetic used to induce general anesthesia and provide sedation.

A newly released autopsy report has detailed the circumstances surrounding the death of Milania Giudice’s childhood friend Victoria Zardoya, pictured left with Milania (Source: Instagram/Milania Giudice)

University of Tampa student Victoria Zardoya died at age 20 on July 26, two days after suffering a catastrophic brain injury in a fall down multiple flights of stairs at the historic Fort Dade ruins on Florida’s Egmont Key (Source: Instagram/Victoria Zardoya)

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic approved by the FDA for use during surgery. In the past decade, it has also been investigated as a treatment for psychiatric conditions including depression and anxiety.

Using, possessing or distributing ketamine without a valid prescription is illegal.

The report does not indicate when Zardoya consumed the ketamine or alcohol.

The extent of the injuries she sustained is detailed in the report. Zardoya suffered a severe skull fracture and bleeding on the brain, along with minor injuries to her arms and legs.

Following her death, her heart, lungs, kidneys and pancreas were among the organs donated.

Her death was first announced in July by Milania’s father and RHONJ star Joe Giudice, 54, who described it as a “simple fall.”

Zardoya’s friend Victoria Silberbusch said Zardoya had traveled to Florida for the weekend to visit friends before the fatal fall on July 24.

At the request of Zardoya’s family, Silberbusch shared a lengthy statement describing what happened: “On July 24, 2026, what began as a fun and innocent day on the water with old and new friends ended in an unimaginable and unexpected way.

“A beautiful 20-year-old woman named Victoria Zardoya, who had flown to Florida for the weekend to visit friends, suffered fatal injuries in a devastating fall while we were exploring the historic ruins at Fort Dade on Egmont Key.

“We had been preparing to leave for another location when it happened. Everything changed within seconds.”

Fort Dade on Egmont Key, where Zardoya suffered her fatal fall, is pictured

The autopsy report obtained by Our News Outlet states that Zardoya died from craniocerebral trauma, commonly known as a traumatic brain injury. Blood collected on July 24 tested positive for ketamine (Source: Instagram/Victoria Zardoya)

“At first, we thought Victoria had fallen one level. We ran to the edge and called out to her, but soon realized she had fallen much farther than we initially believed.

“We immediately climbed down toward her while others called 911. Friends who remained near the boats launched flares to help first responders find us as quickly as possible, and more calls were made to explain how urgent the situation was.

“No one hesitated. Every person acted immediately and instinctively, doing everything possible to help her.”

Silberbusch continued: “The injuries Victoria suffered were devastating. We stayed beside her and held her, trying to keep her as comfortable as possible while waiting for emergency responders.

“Paramedics arrived by boat, and after an extremely difficult rescue, a medical helicopter transported her to the hospital. Victoria died from her injuries on July 26.”

Recalling the moments after the fall, Silberbusch wrote: “I remember the look on Victoria’s face when our eyes met as she realized she was falling, followed by the sudden silence after her gasp.

“Then came the realization that she had fallen all the way onto the stairs, and that we could not even see her when we looked over the edge. We held on to the desperate hope that everything would somehow be okay, before realizing how quickly life can change forever.

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“My heart is broken for Victoria’s family and for all the friends who loved her. I cannot imagine the depth of their grief. I only hope they know that Victoria was never alone. From the moment she fell, everyone did everything possible to help her. She was surrounded by people who cared about her, fought for her and refused to give up hope.”

Silberbusch shared a photo of the group apparently exploring Fort Dade (Source: Instagram/Victoria Silberbusch)

Silberbusch shared an image that appeared to show a medical helicopter arriving to assist Zardoya (Source: Instagram/Victoria Silberbusch)

“Please keep Victoria, her family and everyone who loved her in your thoughts. If this tragedy teaches us anything, I hope it is that life is unimaginably precious. Hold the people you love a little closer and say the things you have been meaning to say. None of us knows how many ordinary moments remain. Rest in peace, Victoria.”

Milania reshared the statement on her Instagram Stories.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told Our News Outlet: “On July 24, 2026, at approximately 6:08 p.m., our Marine Unit responded to reports that an individual had fallen from one of the structures on Egmont Key.”

Sharing a photograph of himself with his daughter and Zardoya, Joe wrote: “There are no words for this kind of pain.

“Victoria, you were like a daughter to me. I watched you grow up alongside my daughter Milania. We were neighbors for years, and you became part of our family. I cannot believe you are gone.

“It is heartbreaking to think that a simple fall while you were young and enjoying yourself could take such a beautiful life. You were only 20, with your entire future ahead of you.

“Life is fragile. Everything can change in an instant. Please never take a day or the people you love for granted.

“Victoria, you will be missed more than you could ever know. You will always have a place in our hearts, and I will never forget you.

“My heart goes out to your family. Rest in peace, beautiful girl. Until we meet again.”

His former wife, Teresa Giudice, commented on the post: “Forever in our hearts.”

One of Zardoya’s friends shared a photograph of her hand as she lay in a hospital bed, writing: “No one is ever prepared to lose someone they love.

Alongside a photograph of himself with his daughter and Zardoya, Joe Giudice wrote: “There are no words for this kind of pain. Victoria, you were like a daughter to me”

“If Vic wanted anything in this world, it was to make people happy. She did that right through her final moments.

“Please value life because it can disappear so quickly. Tell the people you love how much they mean to you, and live fully while you have the chance.”

According to her social media accounts, Zardoya was studying at the University of Tampa. Shortly before her death, she had traveled to Ibiza and Portugal.

Zardoya’s friend shared a photograph of her hand from her hospital bed, writing: “No one is ever prepared to lose someone they love”

Milania shared childhood photographs with Zardoya while remembering her friend (Source: Instagram/Milania Giudice)

Another friend, Ross, said he had been with Zardoya when she fell. He wrote: “One day I will see you again and be able to say I am sorry for bringing you to that terrible island that day, the day that ended with you being airlifted by the Flight for Life helicopter.”

His tribute continued: “The worst day of my life was followed by the next worst day of my life. A beautiful soul and an incredible person was taken from us all far too soon.

“The pain, shock, anger, guilt, confusion and devastation seem to grow worse each day. She had an amazing group of friends, and every one of them now carries a hole in their heart that can never be filled. My heart breaks for all of them.

“So many friends traveled from across the country to be by her side until the very end. She was deeply loved. What was meant to be one of the best weekends of our lives ended with her parents having to plan her funeral.

“I will never be the same after this. I would have gladly traded my life on that beach for yours. You had so much more life ahead of you.

“Why do I get to wake up tomorrow and still be here? I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you proud of me, Victoria.”

Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for the Giudice family and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for comment but has not yet received a response.