Mass. native among victims in Calif. boat fire

BOSTON — A Massachusetts native is one of the 34 people killed in a tragic boat fire off the coast of California, Boston 25 News has learned. That woman once worked as a sales executive for the New England Patriots.

Marybeth Guiney called Boston her home but had been living and working in Santa Monica. On Wednesday, her former employee sent their condolences.

In the meantime, the cause of the devastating fire is now under investigation.

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Thirty-three passengers and one crew member were killed aboard the diving boat "Conception." One of those victims, Guiney, had previously held jobs in the Boston area. From 2000-2002 Guiney worked for Boston 25 News as a sales account executive and was once an employee for the Patriots.

The team releasing this statement to Boston 25 News:

The New England Patriots organization is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Marybeth Guiney. We send our sincerest sympathies to her family and all who mourn Marybeth's loss.

The investigation into how the fire started continues. Flames broke out early Monday morning while passengers were asleep below deck. Only five crew members were known to survive, they were on the upper deck when the fire started.

Passengers were aboard the vessel for a three-day-long scuba diving excursion off the coast of Santa Cruz. The search for more victims has been suspended and 20 bodies have been recovered.

According to Guiney's LinkedIn page, she worked as a media and sponsorship sales executive for New England.

Cox Media Group