The body of a woman, one of three people missing after a boat sank in San Francisco Bay this week, has been recovered.
Tondra Madruga, 58, also known as Tondra Miller, was identified by the San Francisco medical examiner on Friday.
Madruga’s body was found Thursday by a police marine unit, two days after the 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare capsized with 20 people aboard.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga,” family member Quin Madruga said on Facebook. “Our hearts remain with every family impacted, and we sincerely appreciate your kindness and understanding.
Ralph Boisa told CBS News Bay Area that his extended family and close friends were on his younger brother’s boat to scatter his daughter’s ashes after she died in 2016.
He was preparing to go out on his own boat in Washington when one of his daughters told him what had happened.
“They were in the middle deck and all of a sudden they realized the boat was tipping over. It was capsizing,” Ralph Boisa told CBS News. “We don’t have any idea why. But everybody that was in the cabin was struggling to get out. Pounding on windows.”
His brother, Clifford Boisa, died immediately after being pulled from the chilly water. Ralph said it was “surreal” to read news coverage about the boat and his loved ones.
“I saw my brother [Clifford] on one of these newscasts; he was laying under a yellow tarp on the dock, and that was just brutal to know my brother was under that tarp,” Ralph Boisa said.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the missing individuals late Wednesday after crews covered more than 814 square miles. Police continue searching for Ralph Boisa’s sister, Carol, and Clifford Boisa’s wife, Jackie.
“Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of our job, and our condolences are with the families of all involved,” Coast Guard Capt. Jared S. Toczko said in a statement.
Madruga’s body was discovered near Treasure Island after a boater reported it.
The Volare is believed to be submerged 120 feet deep on the rocky seabed. Authorities will determine if a safe recovery can be conducted once the wreck is located.
