Was Fuddy dead at the scene, or did she die later?
Why no distress call from the pilot when the engine failed?
Her deputy made a statement that he held Fuddy’s hand in the water, so she made it out alive. He didn’t report any apparent injuries nor anything she would have complained about. The pilot was pretty bloodied up from head wounds.
Another GA aircraft heard their transponder MAYDAY signal and located the crash. That pilot was the one who called the CG and the USN to rescue the passengers.