Second victim identified in San Francisco Bay boat disaster as search continues for two missing
The body recovered from San Francisco Bay on Thursday belongs to Tondra Madruga, a 58-year-old Sacramento County woman who perished when a cabin cruiser caps...
The body recovered from San Francisco Bay on Thursday belongs to Tondra Madruga, a 58-year-old Sacramento County woman who perished when a cabin cruiser capsized near Alcatraz Island earlier this week. She is the second confirmed fatality in a disaster that has left two people still missing and a community in mourning.
San Francisco police officers conducting sonar scans near Treasure Island spotted the remains just after 1 p.m. Thursday. A passing vessel had alerted them to something in the water. Crews pulled the body from the bay and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed the identity, noting that Madruga also went by the surname Miller.
A memorial service turned to tragedy
The boat that sank Tuesday afternoon was carrying 20 people for what should have been a solemn occasion. They had gathered for a memorial service on the water. Instead, the vessel capsized and went down near Alcatraz Island, plunging passengers into the cold currents of San Francisco Bay.
Sixteen people survived. Rescue crews pulled them from the water in the chaotic hours that followed. But the toll has been climbing. On Wednesday, authorities identified 79-year-old Clifford Boisa of Sutter County as the first confirmed death. His brother, John Boisa, owned the boat. He confirmed Madruga was a family friend.
A dog also died in the sinking.
Family speaks of heartbreak
Madruga's relatives released a statement Thursday night. They described themselves as heartbroken by the loss of their "beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt." The family had been waiting for news since Tuesday, holding out hope as search teams combed the bay.
"Our hearts remain with every family impacted," the statement read. They extended gratitude to the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Francisco Fire Department, the San Francisco Police Department, and the civilian boaters who rushed to help. "Your dedication and support mean more to our family than words can express."
According to her Facebook profile, Madruga lived in Folsom, a city in Sacramento County. She had traveled to the bay for what was meant to be a day of remembrance.
Search enters critical phase
Two people remain unaccounted for. The Coast Guard and local agencies have been scanning the water with sonar, but the bay presents challenges. Currents near Alcatraz are notoriously strong. Water temperatures hover in the 50s even in summer. Survival windows close fast.
The discovery of Madruga's body near Treasure Island, several miles from where the boat sank, illustrates how far the bay can carry victims. Search patterns have shifted accordingly. Crews are now working a wider grid, watching for any sign of the missing.
John Boisa has not spoken publicly about the condition of his vessel or what caused it to capsize. The National Transportation Safety Board typically investigates such incidents, examining everything from weather conditions to mechanical failure to passenger capacity. No official cause has been released.
Questions about safety
The disaster has raised familiar questions about small vessel safety in San Francisco Bay. The waterway sees heavy recreational traffic, from sailboats to tour vessels to private cruisers like the one that sank Tuesday. Conditions can shift rapidly. Fog rolls in. Winds pick up. The water stays cold enough to kill.
Twenty people on a cabin cruiser is a significant load. Investigators will likely examine whether the boat was overloaded or whether other factors contributed to the sinking. For now, the focus remains on recovery.
The Coast Guard has not indicated when search operations might transition from rescue to recovery mode. That determination depends on water temperature, time elapsed, and the likelihood of survival. For the families of the two still missing, the wait continues.
Madruga's body was found three days after the sinking. The bay gave her up. It has not yet surrendered the others.
