UPDATE: A family vacation in the Florida Keys turned deadly when 57-year-old Michigan mother Judy Kay Zagorski was tragically killed by a giant spotted eagle ray that leapt from the water and struck her in the face. This shocking incident occurred near Marathon, Florida, during a spring outing in 2008, and has now resurfaced in light of recent similar cases.
Authorities confirm that Judy was seated at the front of a boat, traveling at approximately 25 mph, when the 75-pound ray, with a wingspan of around six feet, suddenly emerged from the ocean. The impact threw her backward onto the boat’s floor, resulting in fatal blunt force trauma. Monroe County’s medical examiner has verified that Judy died instantly from multiple skull fractures and direct brain injury. Remarkably, there were no signs of puncture wounds from the creature’s venomous barbs, indicating that the collision’s force alone was responsible for her death.
Judy’s sister, Joyce Ann Miller, who was standing beside her at the time, escaped unharmed, while their father, Virgil Bouck, was steering the boat. The family was enjoying a holiday together when the tragedy struck. Following the impact, the ray was found lifeless in the vessel, highlighting the bizarre nature of the incident. Wildlife authorities have characterized it as an extraordinary mishap; spotted eagle rays are generally non-aggressive and utilize their poisonous tail spikes strictly for self-defense.
Despite being known for leaping out of the water to evade threats or shed parasites, encounters with humans are virtually unheard of. Spotted eagle rays can weigh up to 500 pounds and have wingspans extending to ten feet, primarily gliding peacefully close to the water’s surface. Judy’s unexpected death has left both residents and tourists in the area in shock. Her brother, Dan Bouck, shared with NBC News that she was “a truly awesome sister” who dedicated her life to caring for terminally ill patients and managing Beadle Bay Marina and Campground alongside her late husband, Steve Zagorski.
Experts stress that incidents like this are exceedingly rare. While there have been sporadic reports of rays landing in boats, fatalities are almost unheard of. This tragic occurrence has drawn comparisons to other notable accidents involving sea creatures, including the infamous encounter that led to the death of wildlife expert Steve Irwin in Australia.
As the story develops, the community mourns the loss of Judy and reflects on the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident and the implications it carries for safety in marine environments.