Jada Samitt, 22-year-old Henrico graduate among seven who died in fishing boat incident.
A tragic incident involving a commercial fishing vessel off the coast of Massachusetts has claimed the lives of seven people, including a 22-year-old Virginia native with ties to the Richmond area, according to federal officials and family members.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Friday, January 30, rescue teams responded to an emergency signal from the 72-foot fishing boat Lily Jean. The vessel was located about 25 miles offshore near Cape Ann. When crews reached the area, they discovered evidence indicating the boat had gone down and located one unresponsive individual. An extensive search effort was immediately launched for the remaining crew members believed to have been on board.
The search operation covered more than 1,000 square miles over several days and involved significant Coast Guard resources. Despite the scale and intensity of the effort, no additional survivors were found. On Monday, February 2, the Coast Guard publicly identified all seven individuals who lost their lives in the incident.
Among those identified was Jada Samitt, a 22-year-old Virginia resident and graduate of Deep Run High School in Henrico County. Samitt was serving as a fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Her role involved collecting data related to fishing activity, an important position aimed at supporting sustainable practices and protecting marine resources.
In a statement shared through media outlets, Samitt’s family remembered her as a compassionate, determined young woman with a strong sense of purpose. They described her as deeply committed to her work and proud of the role she played aboard the vessel. Although she was from Virginia, her family said she felt a strong connection to the waters where the incident occurred and believed strongly in protecting the oceans and fisheries.
The family also extended their condolences to the loved ones of the other crew members and to the broader Gloucester, Massachusetts, community affected by the tragedy. They asked for privacy as they grieve an unimaginable loss.
The other individuals who died in the incident were identified as Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, and Sean Therrien. Authorities have not released additional biographical details about the victims at this time.
Federal agencies are now working to determine what led to the sinking of the Lily Jean. The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation, with assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board. Officials emphasized that the purpose of the investigation is to understand what happened and identify ways to improve safety at sea, not to assign blame. The process is expected to take several months.
No funeral or obituary details have been publicly announced for the victims as of now. Families and communities connected to those lost continue to mourn while awaiting further information.
This remains a developing situation, and updates will be shared as more confirmed details become available through official sources.
