Five more Conception victims named
The Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau confirmed the identities of five more people who died when the dive boat Conception burned on Labor Day.
The additional victims are:
- Adrian Dahood-Fritz, 40, Sacramento
Ms. Dahood-Fritz worked for California Natural Resources Agency’s Ocean Protection Council as a senior environmental scientist, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Adrian led the state’s efforts to manage California’s network of marine protected areas, and she cared deeply about the ocean and biodiversity. She embodied marine conservation and was a highly accomplished and respected scientific researcher. Adrian’s passion and energy will be greatly missed,” Gov. Newsom said. Ms. Dahood-Fritz’s spouse, Andrew Fritz, 40, also lost his life aboard the Conception. Mr. Fritz’s identity was confirmed Friday.
- Lisa Fiedler, 52, Mill Valley
Ms. Fiedler was a photographer and hairdresser, and folks remember her for her love of nature and diving.
One of her travel companions, Lindy Caldwell, paid tribute to Ms. Fielder on Facebook, writing “She loved life, a beautiful soul who has left us too soon.”
Ms. Fielder was a four-year-old member of the Facebook group dubbed “Lost Marin,” whose description says that it’s an open group to share photos and stories of Marin County. Ms. Fielder joined the group four years ago, and the admin of the group, Chris Ellinger, shared a photo of Ms. Fielder receiving a kiss from a cute dog, along with the message “Lost Marin member, Lisa Fiedler, perished in the horrible diving boat fire on Labor Day. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.”
- Kristina “Kristy” Finstad, 41, Tamrick Pines
Ms. Finstad was a UCSB Gaucho and Wisconsin native. A marine biologist and diving instructor, she co-owned Worldwide Diving Adventure, the company that chartered the Conception for the Labor Day weekend trip. She had an impressive amount of diving experience, diving for black pearls in the French Polynesia Tuamotus islands, studying damsel fish and corrals in the Tahitian Islands and conducting research for the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Ms. Finstad wrote a restoration guidebook for the California Coastal Commission. Her brother, Brett Hameling, said on Facebook Tuesday, “My family and I truly appreciate it. No final word on my sister Kristy; however, it is likely that she has transitioned to be with the good Lord.”
- Fernisa Sison, 57, Stockton
Ms. Sison was on the Conception to celebrate the birthday of her spouse, Michael Quitasol, along with his daughters Angela, Evan and Nicole, all four of whom had their identities confirmed Friday. On Facebook, several people praised Mr. Quitasol and Ms. Sison for their role in the medical field.
“So gentle, so kind, and smart,” wrote Connie Carson-Romano. “Sad that they are gone too soon.”
- Kristian Takvam, 34, San Francisco
Mr. Takvam was the vice president of engineering for San Francisco-based Brilliant, a website that creates interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses. He was aboard the Conception with Caroline McLaughlin, whose identity was confirmed Friday.
“The loss of Carrie and Kristian is deeply heartbreaking for all of us at Brilliant,” Sue Khim, company CEO, said in a statement. “Carrie and Kristian were incredible friends and colleagues who brought immense passion, talent, leadership, and warmth, and they will be missed dearly. Our hearts are with their families and friends.”
The Sheriff’s Office anticipates final identifications to be confirmed later this week and operations to salvage the boat to resume today.
Meanwhile, the FBI announced that people can provide information regarding the boat fire via phone or online, setting up a phone line for people to call with information.
“Anyone who would like to provide information telephonically can call 1-800-CALL-FBI,” reads a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
Information will be analyzed by the FBI as it conducts its joint investigation with the Coast Guard, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is running a concurrent operation.
Individuals have been calling news organizations and law enforcement with possible information about the fire, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.
Tuesday’s FBI press release gave direct instructions to callers: “Callers will initially be prompted to choose among various categories and, for this case, should choose prompt #4 (“FBI case currently highlighted in the news”). Callers will then be asked to choose their preferred language (#1 for English and #2 for Spanish). Finally, callers can choose this case specifically (“Conception Maritime Incident in Santa Barbara, California”), which is also prompt #4.”
Those who want to submit pictures, video or other digital details can visit www.fbi.gov/boatfire.
“This often happens in a case that’s very high profile and you see a lot of news coverage,” Ms. Eimiller told the News-Press. “The information is being filtered through the FBI, and it’s being done on the behalf of the joint investigation.”
