A Florida college student died after reportedly falling while at an abandoned military sitewith friends, according to reports.
Victoria Zardoya, 20, apparently fell last week while with friends at Fort Dade on Egmont Key. Located off the coast of Tampa, the fort was built in 1898 but has been shuttered since the early 1920s when a hurricane forced its closure.
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to USA TODAY NETWORK it was investigating Zardoya’s death but said no other information would be released at this time.
College student who died, Victoria Zardoya, was friends with daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star
According to social media posts, Zardoya was friends with the daughter of Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Guidice.
The two young women were childhood friends and attended the University of Tampa
together. Teresa’s daughter Milania paid tribute to her longtime friend on social media reposting a message that read, “Please keep Victoria, her family, and everyone who loved her in your thoughts.”
Teresa also posted online stating on an Instagram story, “We love Victoria."
Where is Fort Dade on Egmont Key?
Fort De Soto is on Mullet Key at the southern tip of Pinellas County, reached by the Pinellas Bayway.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida college student dies at remote tourist attraction
