On March 23, 2025, tragedy struck Gianna Buzzetta, an executive pastry chef who worked at the Jeune et Jolie restaurant in Carlsbad. On the ill-fated day, Buzzetta and her boyfriend/soon-to-be fiancé, Connor Quinton, were hiking to see the Makaleha Falls in Kauai, Hawaii. While they were walking up the trail, a boulder fell and hit Gianna, causing a fatal injury.
During an interview with 10 News and KGTV, Gianna's father, Sal Buzzetta, said,
"They heard a really loud noise... He (Quinton) looked up, but couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. Within a second, it happened … The rock dislodged from quite a ways up … then it landed on her."
Although Quinton managed to pull her away from the boulder, there was no cell reception to call for assistance. Connor Quinton had to run three miles before he could find any help.
More details in Gianna Buzzetta's hiking accident
When the medics arrived, it was reported that Buzzetta was unconscious, but she was still breathing. However, she also suffered major blood loss from the head injury she sustained during the freak accident.
Gianna Buzzetta was reportedly airlifted to Wilcox Memorial Hospital and was later moved to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Sadly, Buzzetta succumbed to her injuries a day after the accident.
Her family managed to fly back to the hospital where Buzzetta was admitted, in time to say their last goodbyes.
During an interview with Buzzetta's mother (Caty), she shared what Gianna told her that day.
"She had told her boyfriend, Connor, that day, he had fulfilled her dreams and it was the best day of her life" - Gianna's shared with KGTV.
Gianna's family also shared that visiting the Makaleha Falls in Kauai was one of her dreams. Her mother added,
"She was in nature... That was her element. She was with the love of her life. In a glimpse of time, she had pure bliss, no one could take that from her or us. She was living in the best moment she ever had, and that's priceless".
Gianna Buzzetta's boss also had a few things to say about her work ethic and who she was as a person. John Resnick shared with Fox5 San Diego,
"she was a huge part of the team. Super creative, super talented, incredibly hardworking... Humble, confident — I mean all these things that we want to see in the people we work with. So from that professional talent standpoint, she was incredible… Our whole team loved working alongside her."
Gianna Buzzetta was well-loved by her family, partner, friends, and colleagues. On an online fundraiser, she was described as
"precious daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, grand-daughter, girlfriend/soon-to-be fianće, friend, Christian, and gifted executive pastry chef".
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