What happened to Nicholas James Strazzulla in Key West?

Nicholas James Strazzulla lost consciousness during a scuba dive to the USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg shipwreck and later died.

Where is the USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg shipwreck located?

The USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg is located about seven miles south of Key West, Florida.

Was foul play involved in the Key West scuba diver's death?

Authorities do not suspect foul play; the cause of death is pending autopsy results.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Dive Instructor Dies Exploring Key West Shipwreck

Dive Instructor Dies Exploring Key West Shipwreck

25 Nov

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Summary

A certified dive instructor died during a Key West shipwreck dive.
The incident occurred while exploring the USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg.
Foul play is not suspected pending autopsy results.

Dive Instructor Dies Exploring Key West Shipwreck

A scuba diving excursion off the coast of Key West ended tragically on Saturday when Nicholas James Strazzulla, a 50-year-old certified dive instructor, lost consciousness. The incident occurred during a descent to the USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a former missile tracking ship intentionally sunk in 2009 to serve as an artificial reef.

Mr. Strazzulla was brought back to the dive boat, where fellow divers immediately began CPR. Despite their efforts and prompt medical attention from paramedics, he was pronounced deceased at the Lower Keys Medical Center. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has stated that detectives do not suspect foul play in the death, and the exact cause is pending the results of an autopsy.

Strazzulla, originally from Inverness, was on vacation in the Florida Keys and had been visiting popular dive sites. His employer, Floridivers, shared a heartfelt statement remembering him as a beloved individual. His wife, Tammy Strazzulla, indicated that he was doing what he loved when he passed.