Victim's body from sunken Alcatraz boat found in San Francisco Bay near Treasure Island
2nd body recovered after boat sinks in SF Bay; 2 still missing
The death toll has risen to two following a tragic family outing on the San Francisco Bay earlier this week, and authorities say two people still remain missing. On Thursday afternoon, search crews recovered the body of 58-year-old Tondra Madruga of Sacramento. Madruga was one of 20 people onboard a cabin cruiser that sank during a memorial service on Tuesday afternoon.
SAN FRANCISCO - Authorities discovered a body in the San Francisco Bay near Treasure Island, police said Thursday afternoon. The San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the person's identity and has connected them to the boat that sank in the bay on Tuesday.
Body discovered in San Francisco Bay
What we know:
Tondra Miller's body was discovered just after 1 p.m. in the water west of the island.
Miller, 58, who also goes by Tondra Madruga, was one of the three who remained missing two days after a recreational boat sank in the bay near Alcatraz Island, killing one person.
San Francisco police officers were conducting a sonar scan when a passing boat notified them of the body.
"The San Francisco Fire Department received a call from the United States Coast Guard requesting assistance to retrieve a body found in the bay," said Lt. Mariano Elias with SFFD.
The police department transported the body to Fire Station 35 along the Embarcadero. That's where the medical examiner took over their investigation for positive identification.
Yerba Buena Island and Oakland Bay Bridge, California. (Photo by: Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A family member of Miller's posted to social media following the discovery of her body.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Francisco Fire Department, the San Francisco Police Department, all of the first responders, and the civilian boaters and community members who selflessly assisted in the search and rescue efforts," Quin Madruga said.
The medical examiner said this was the second case in connection to the July 14 vessel incident. They had no further comment or information to share immediately.
Search and recovery effort
San Francisco police continued its search of the bay on Thursday with help from the department's marine unit, as well as from the Alameda County Volunteer Dive Team.
Police said they have an idea of where the boat is, but they have yet to put eyes on the vessel.
Authorities said 20 people were aboard the 40-foot pleasure craft, Volare, for a memorial service when it began sinking around 3:37 p.m. Tuesday.
A total of 16 people were rescued from the boat, one person was declared deceased and three were declared missing. That was before Miller's body was recovered.
The Coast Guard announced on Wednesday that they would suspend their search at sundown. The search was suspended at 8:30 p.m., officials said.
Investigators believe the vessel was struck by a wave, took on water, and rolled over, throwing many passengers into the bay.
The vessel has not been found and is believed to be about 130 feet below the surface.
Officials are still working to pinpoint its exact location. Police are working on bringing in a salvage company to retrieve the wreckage.
Divers will be needed for what is being described as a challenging and complex operation.
Lt. Elias is a certified rescue diver. He shared some of the challenges the dive team will be facing.
"You have to be a very experienced diver. You have to be comfortable working in the dark. Sometimes it's by feel and you don't always know what you're going to see down there," Elias said. "The objective right now is to help the families find closure."
The Source: San Francisco police, San Francisco Fire, KTVU reporting