A day meant for celebration ended in sorrow on June 21, 2025, when a boat carrying ten people capsized on Lake Tahoe during a sudden storm, claiming eight lives. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office shared the victims’ names on June 24, after search teams worked tirelessly near D.L. Bliss State Park. The loss has left the community and families reeling, as they remember those who perished.
Among the victims was Joshua Antony Pickles, a 37-year-old DoorDash executive from San Francisco, who was with his parents, Paula Bozinovich, 71, and Terry Pickles, 73, from Redwood City. The other victims were Peter Bayes, 72, from Lincoln; Timothy O’Leary, 71, from Auburn; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, from Honeoye, New York; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, from Springwater, New York. Their stories are now part of Tahoe’s collective grief.
Two of the ten passengers survived, though their identities haven’t been shared. The search concluded on June 23 when the final body was recovered, bringing closure to a painful effort. Authorities point to a fast-moving storm with strong winds and turbulent waves as the cause of the 27-foot Chris-Craft boat’s capsize, a reminder of how quickly conditions can change on the lake.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed deep sorrow for the families and gratitude to helpers like the U.S. Coast Guard and California State Parks, who aided the recovery. The tragedy has touched hearts across the region, prompting reflection on life’s fragility. Authorities are now urging boaters to stay cautious, emphasizing that unpredictable summer storms require extra care to ensure safety on Lake Tahoe’s waters.