A memorial gathering on San Francisco Bay turned into a search and rescue operation that’s still unfolding nearly a week later. On what was supposed to be a meaningful day to scatter the ashes of Maria Boisa, a beloved surfer, a boat carrying 20 people capsized near Alcatraz. The tragedy claimed two lives and left two people missing, with connections to both Sutter and Sacramento counties.
The confirmed victims are Clifford Boisa from Sutter County and Tondra Madruga from Sacramento County. Jackie Boisa and Carol Boisa remain missing as the U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies continue extensive search and recovery efforts. What makes this tragedy even more painful is the impact on the families involved. Maria’s father, Ralph Boisa, wasn’t on the boat, but he’s now processing the loss of family members while two of his daughters who survived the capsizing deal with the trauma of what they witnessed.
The emotional toll is evident in Ralph’s words. He’s described spending the last week in deep depression, trying to accept what happened while holding onto hope that his sister and sister-in-law will be found. Closure matters when grief is this overwhelming. As the search continues and investigators try to understand what caused the boat to capsize, the community’s thoughts are with the families affected. Have you or someone you know experienced a sudden loss? How do you think communities can better support families going through this kind of tragedy?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
