A family outing meant to honor a loved one’s memory turned into a devastating San Francisco Bay boating tragedy, with relatives now confirming the death of a woman they described as their “beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt.”
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the body recovered Thursday was 58-year-old Tondra Miller, who was also known as Tondra Madruga. She was one of three people reported missing after the private 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare overturned and sank Tuesday afternoon in the waters of San Francisco Bay.
Miller had joined 20 relatives and friends from the Stockton and Sacramento regions for a memorial trip to scatter the ashes of Maria Boisa, a Fremont nurse who died a decade ago at the age of 32.
The group had spent roughly three hours at Ayala Cove on Angel Island before starting the return journey. As they headed back, choppy afternoon conditions and a strong swell reportedly caused the top-heavy vessel to tip onto its side, fill with water and sink quickly.
Rescuers pulled 16 people from the bay, including three passengers who were injured.
The disaster also claimed the life of 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, a retired Sutter County reserve deputy.
Two others are still missing and are believed to be inside the submerged boat, which is sitting about 120 to 130 feet underwater west of Alcatraz Island.
In a Facebook post shared by Quin Madruga, the family said they were “heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga.”
They asked for privacy as they grieve, saying, “Our hearts remain with every family impacted,” while thanking the public for its kindness and understanding.
The family also expressed their gratitude to the US Coast Guard, the San Francisco Fire Department, the San Francisco Police Department, first responders, civilian boaters and community members who helped rescue survivors and search for the missing, saying their dedication “mean more to our family than words can express.”
The statement, signed by Breanna Hewitt Crouch, concluded with a simple message: “Thank you for your prayers, love, and support.”
