DEATHS: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

19th CENTURY DEATHS

• 1854 William Butterfield, Island resident who drowned on September 15 departing on Queen of the West.

• 1856 John Henry Kelty seaman from the Francis Skiddy, drowned while sea bathing on June 9.

• 1858 Miguel Cota, Vicente Panateri and Louis Hammond drowned when their boat sank in September.

• 1865 George Frank Leslie, Santa Cruz Island Company employee who drowned in the channel.

• [1868 Jose ______] Shaw/SCICo employee, Indian murdered by Francisco Dominguez in S.B.

• 1871 James Tryce, a sealer taken sick in mid-June on San Miguel Island; he died Santa Cruz Island.

• 1876 Chinaman jumped overboard from the Star of Freedom and was drowned May 29.

• 1885 Tomas Sansoni, SCICo employee run over by a wagon.

• 1888 Unidentified body was found washed ashore on Santa Cruz Island.

• 1893 Louis Raynal, SCICo employee killed by a mowing machine.

• 1895 Angelo Forno, SCICo employee fell from his horse.

• 1895 Jose Camarillo died on the island July 11.

20th CENTURY DEATHS

• 1901 Felix Botiller accidentally drowned off the schooner Santa Cruz on January 8.

• 1902 August Ericson, Swedish fisherman who drowned in early March off Smugglers.

• 1904 S. W. Cooney drowned in the vicinity of Lady’s Harbor in November.

• 1908 Dr. Joseph B. Tanner, L.A. police surgeon who drowned off Gull Rock on April 3.

• 1908 Lucero, an Italian fisherman who drowned November 11 while fishing.

• 1910 Thomas Del Valle accidentally drowned in a skiff accident off Cueva Valdez on July 8.

• 1910 Isabel Pierce accidentally drowned in a skiff accident off Cueva Valdez on July 8.

• 1912 Pietro Noceti, SCICo employee accidentally drowned at Scorpion on September 15.

• 1912 George Tappan committed suicide (shot himself in the head) at Fry’s Harbor December 31.

• 1913 David Jacobs was drowned off the Gussie M on June 29 returning from Santa Cruz Island.

• 1915 Belisario Valencia, SCICo employee accidentally drowned at Scorpion Harbor on February 23.

• 1915 Ento Miyamatsu, a Japanese fisherman aboard Rambler was drowned on September 15.

• 1916 Peter Cruz, camp fisherman killed by a landslide.

• 1916 Christian Gundersen, camp fisherman killed by a landslide.

• 1916 Wes Thompson, Eaton employee fell off a bluff at Pelican Bay.

• 1917 Lodovico Leone (32), died as a result of being kicked by a horse on January 28.

• 1917 Myron R. Bergen drowned at Pelican Bay off the Sea Wolf on July 11.

• 1917 T. Nio, Japanese fisherman stabbed at camp at Smugglers Cove.

• 1918 Tony Salvo fisherman drowned at Gull Island on December 7.

• 1920 Anileta Angelina Reyes, cook at a fishing camp who drowned in December after Christmas.

• 1921 John Olivera died of spinal meningitis on February 15.

• 1922 G. Jose Camarillo died from rheumatism.

• 1923 Jerry Shively, Island fisherman drowned near Scorpion.

• 1923 Isaac Newton, Island fisherman drowned near Scorpion.

• 1924 Mary S. Wilkinson, camper drowned in a skiff at accident at Arch Rock near Cueva Valdez.

• 1924 Milton Stewart camper drowned in a skiff at accident at Arch Rock near Cueva Valdez.

• 1924 Dr. Hal Bishop camper drowned in a skiff at accident at Arch Rock near Cueva Valdez.

• 1925 Helmar Peterson starved in his skiff when it blew offshore.

• 1928 Chris De Rode, seaman on the schooner Irene, died from injuries filming The Rescue.

• 1932 Alexander MacDougall Hunter accidentally shot by a companion on the north side of the island.

• 1933 William “Dutch” Schultz Fisherman drowned off Blue Banks.

• 1933 Caroline Imboden (40) Committed suicide by hanging on the east end of the island.

• 1938 Sam Vodopia fisherman washed overboard from Harmony

• 1938 Tom Endo () Japanese fisherman washed overboard from Johnny Boy on December 20.

• 1939 Fred “Kangaroo” Peterson (53) Died in his shack at China Harbor, probably of alcoholism.

• 1947 Peter Fiamengo (53) died of a heart attack aboard the seiner Progress while at China Harbor on January 23.

• 1949 Capt. Jess Thierry (27) Pilot died in a plane accident March 2.

• 1953 Ross Smith Diver off the Bonnie Lee drowned when his mask slipped off April 22.

• 1954 William Chacon (24) drowned while abalone diving at Santa Cruz Island on May 12.

• 1961 Regino Vital Cruz SCICo employee fell from horse at Christy and died of his injuries.

• 1962 Samuel Velasquez SCICo employee died in a truck accident.

• 1964 James C. Wilson father who, along with his three sons, went missing on a boating trip to the island on May 2.

• 1966 Wallace Bassett (49) Pilot, died in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 Gordon Ridge hunting guide killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 Ted Shatt (27) hunting guide killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 John R. Russell hunter killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 Jack L. Wheeler (33) hunter killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 John Gilbert hunter killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 Claude Casey hunter killed in a plane accident flying in to Christy Ranch on March 8.

• 1966 Raleigh Wallace (59) Pilot, died in a plane accident leaving Christy on the same day, March 8.

• 1967 Luciano Moreno (41) Worked on the East End of the island for the Gherinis. He died after being butted by a ram on June 23.

• 1968 Edward G. Bell (25) Camp guide, drowned off Albert’s Anchorage May 4.

• 1968 Maurice Rothstein (47) drowned while skindiving on August 4.

• 1970 Beverly Wight (28) drowned while SCUBA diving on November 8.

• 1971 Arthur Garbini (49) Hunter hit by a plane wing at Christy February 10.

• 1972 Charles Kern (23) drowned at Santa Cruz Island in March.

• 1972 Lt. Daniel W. Still (29) Pilot, died in a plane accident near Diablo June 9.

• 1973 Byron Blom (32) Student fell from a cliff to his death near Willows on April 8.

• 1975 Larry Greenlee Drowned when Gladys I sank off Yellowbanks on June 2. Two survived.

• 1976 Raymond Bunch (51) Drowned with his wife and four others when their vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1976 Mary Bunch (48) Drowned with her husband and four others when their vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1976 Frances Wadell (49) Drowned with her son and four others when the vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1976 Lee Wadell (26) Drowned with his mother and four others when the vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1976 Dennis Braeton (27) Drowned with his wife and four others when the vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1976 Debbie Braeton (24) Drowned with her husband and four others when the vessel Sure Bet capsized off Santa Cruz Island on April 15, 1976

• 1979 James Oppen (59), attorney found shot aboard his yacht, Chronic Bitcher on August 21. Suicide was determined.

• 1979 Timothy Wallace Brown Biology professor died of a heart attack at the UC Field Station Aug. 31.

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK DEATHS

• 1980 ? Hunter died of a heart attack.

• 1981 Verna Jo Roehler (36) Murdered by her husband, Frederick Roehler, anchored at Scorpion January 2.

• 1981 Douglas Johnson (8) Murdered by his step-father, Frederick Roehler, anchored at Scorpion January 2.

• 1982 Ray Tobo (24) drowned while diving near Pedro Point on August 5.

• 1983 Sisenando ‘Andy’ Palma (55) Navy employee died of a heart attack February 28.

• 1983 Tillman, Michael (21) SCUBA diver died at the East End of Santa Cruz Island April 17.

• 1985 Andy Gordon (27) drowned near Hungryman’s Gulch in a SCUBA accident August 26.

• 1986 Henry C. Duffield, Jr. (65) Ranch manager committed suicide by gun November 23.

• 1987 Robert David Salkin (45) drowned SCUBA diving off the western side of Santa Cruz Island on May 31.

• 1987 Carey Stanton (64) Island owner died of heart stoppage December 8.

• 1989 Robert McLaughlin Drowned at age 15 in a SCUBA accident off Fry’s Harbor on July 12.

• 1990 Thomas Barrett (61) Oklahoma attorney fell from a cliff at Pelican Bay September 9.

• 1993 John Karaka (39), drowned while SCUBA diving at Santa Cruz Island February 13.

• 1993 Sang Gyu Choi (30) and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1993 William Choi (17) and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1993 Donnie Watkins (41) and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1993 Benjamin Jordan (24) and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1993 Dan Pelton (33) and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1993 unidentified and six others drowned in the sinking of the fishing vessel, Vil Vana on April 9.

• 1995 Charles Greenberg (45) TNC guest died of a heart attack at the Main Ranch September 4.

• 1995 Omar John Joly, Jr. (31) drowned while diving off the island August 13.

• 1996 Oscar Urzua (45) drowned while SCUBA diving off the island December 2 [?].

• 1996 Peter Yan (33) drowned while SCUBA diving off Diablo Point December 30.

• 1996 ? Boater fell from a cliff at Tinkers Cove.

• 1997 Diane Kunst (44), drowned while SCUBA diving off Peace at Potato Rock on July 27.

• 1997 Howard Guy Lubin (54), was found floating offshore near Scorpion Ranch on December 27.

• 1998 Daren Cornelius (32), drowned while SCUBA diving at Santa Cruz Island on October 10.

21st CENTURY DEATHS

• 2005 Grace Wang (26) Taiwanese kayaker drowned at the east end of the island on May 29.

• 2006 Michael Caligiuri (48) fisherman drowned in the wreck of the 5Gs out of Santa Barbara harbor on July 11.

• 2006 Joseph Breck (45) fisherman drowned in the wreck of the 5Gs out of Santa Barbara harbor on July 11.

• 2007 Stewart Hindley (64) Drowned in a Truth Aquatics SCUBA diving accident off Vision on July 10.

• 2008 John M. Wagner (43) Hit his head and drowned while surfing.

• 2009 Thomas Pruner (49) Hiker died of heat stroke hiking from Prisoners to Scorpion October 16.

• 2010 Trevor Correia (22) Camper (baseball pitcher’s brother) fell off a cliff at Potato Harbor May 8.

• 2010 Frank Cipriano (45) drowned off a dinghy near Eagle Reef in August.

• 2010 Kristopher Carlsen (27) SCUBA diver drowned diving for lobsters near Fraser Point December 5.

• 2011 Jiajuang Zhu (38) Diver off the Conception drowned on the south side Santa Cruz Island.

• 2012 Sophorn Bun Sieng (37) Drowned when their 24-foot pleasure fishing boat capsized offshore March 10.

• 2012 Edgar Isnec (54) Drowned March 10.

• 2012 Ramiro Duarte (52) Drowned March 10.

• 2012 Jose Juan Perez (37) Drowned March 10.

• 2012 Andres Martinez (64) Drowned urchin diving at Kinton Point June 25.

• 2012 Terrell Horne (34) Coast Guardsman run over and killed in panga bust at the east end Dec. 2.

• 2012 Christopher Mondiek (23) Camper taking photos fell from a cliff near Yellowbanks December 18.

• 2013 William Arlo Ooms (59) Diver drowned off a 22-foot boat at Ladys Harbor

• 2016 William Sullivan () Diver drowned off the vessel Conception at Pelican Bay on March 19.

• 2018 Steve Anderson (51) Hiker died of a heart attack returning from Scorpion Harbor on the Island Packer boat on May 3.

DISASTER OF THE CONCEPTION BURNING AT PLATT'S HARBOR, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, SEPTEMBER 2, 2019. 34 CASUALTIES:

• 2019 — 1. Alexandra "Allie" Kurtz (26), galley cook aboard Conception
• 2019 — 2. AHOPELTO, Juha Pekka
• 2019 — 3. Patricia Beitzinger (47), Phoenix, AZ (couple)
• 2019 — 4. Neal Baltz (42), Phoenix, AZ (couple)
• 2019 — 5. Raymond Scott Chan (59), Los Altos, CA (father) (physics teacher at American High School)
• 2019 — 6. Kendra Chan (26), Los Altos, CA (daughter)
• 2019 — 7. Justin Carroll Dignam (58), Anaheim, CA
• 2019 — 8. Lisa Fiedler (52), Mill Valley, CA (hair dresser and nature photographer) (went alone on the trip)
• 2019 — 9. Kristy Finstad (41), marine biologist who owned Worldwide Diving Adventures with her husband
• 2019 — 10. Adrian Dahood-Fritz (40), (wife) (CA state senior environmental scientist)
• 2019 — 11. Andrew Fritz (40), (husband; photographer)
• 2019 — 12. Dan Garcia(46), (husband; Apple employee)
• 2019 — 13. Yulia Krashennaya (40), Berkeley, CA (wife)
• 2019 — 14. Yuko Hatano (39)
• 2019 — 15. Xiang Lin (45)
• 2019 — 16. Charles "Chuck" McIlavain (44), Santa Monica, CA (visual effects designer for Walt Disney)
• 2019 — 17. Marybeth Guiney (51), Santa Monica, CA (National Marketing and Media Consultant)
• 2019 — 18. Kaustubh Nirmal (44), Stamford, CT (husband, accountant and Indian national)
• 2019 — 19. Sanjeeri Deopujari (32), Stamford, CT (wife, dentist and Indian national)
• 2019 — 20. Nicole Storm Quitasol (31), Imperial Beach, CA (sister) (bartender)
• 2019 — 21. Evanmichel Solano Quitasol (37), Stockton, CA (sister) (nurse at St. Joseph's Medical Center)
• 2019 — 22. Angela Rose Quitasol (28), Stockton, CA (sister) (middle school science teacher)
• 2019 — 23. Michel Storm Quitasol (62), Modesto, CA (father) birthday trip
• 2019 — 24. Fenisa Sison, Modesto, CA (step-mother)
• 2019 — 25. Steve Salika (55), Santa Cruz, CA (husband, father of student at Pacific Collegiate High School, Apple employee)
• 2019 — 26. Carol Dianna Adamic (60), Santa Cruz, CA (wife and mother of student at Pacific Collegiate High School)
• 2019 — 27. Tia Salika (17), Santa Cruz, CA (daughter and student at Pacific Collegiate High School) (17th birthday trip)
• 2019 — 28. Berenice Felipe, Santa Cruz, CA (student at Pacific Collegiate High School)
• 2019 — 29. Sunil Sandhu (46), San Francisco, CA (Singaporean citizen; Senior Scientist for the Pointcloud Inc. tech company based in San Francisco)
• 2019 — 30. Ted Strom (62), Germantown, TN
• 2019 — 31. Kristian Takvam (34), (worked for the web company, Brilliant)
• 2019 — 32. Carrie McLaughlin (35), (worked for the web company, Brilliant)
• 2019 — 33. Wei Tan (26), (Singaporean citizen, lived in Santa Barbara; U.C. Berkeley graduate in industrial engineering)
• 2019 — 34. Vaidehi Campbell Williams (41), Soquel, CA (worked for the Soquel Creek Water District)

Conception fatalities above

• 2020 Ryder Sturt (34), of Port Hueneme, drowned while diving for lobsters near Painted Cave November 30.
• 2026 Steve Anderson (51) Hiker died of a heart attack returning from Scorpion Harbor on the Island Packer boat on May 3.
• 2026 Carolyn Alvarez (64) drowned while diving at Casino Point Dive Park on Monday, January 26, 2026.