ORLANDO, Fla. – The spokesman for the family of Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel said on Monday that Siegel's daughter struggled with a prescription drug addiction and had just returned from rehab when she was found dead at their Isleworth home on Saturday.
Family spokesman Michael Marder told Local 6 that Victoria Siegel, 18, had seizures in her medical history and was prescribed drugs for treatment, then developed an addiction. She went to a rehab program voluntarily last month and had recently returned, Marder said.
Deputies said they went to the home at 9766 Green Island Cove Saturday at 2:05 p.m. after Victoria Siegel was discovered by the family housekeeper. She was rushed to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, where she was pronounced dead, according to deputies.
The family tells Local 6 Victoria Siegel was alone in the home when she was found by the housekeeper and that they don't know what was in her system, but believe it to be prescription drugs.
An autopsy was completed on Monday, but the exact cause of death has not been released.
"The Siegel family is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of their beloved Victoria, age 18," said Michael Marder, the family's attorney and spokesman. "They are hurt, deeply wounded and they are grieving. Victoria was a beautiful spirit with a wonderful smile who was greatly loved, and will be deeply missed. Victoria had a history of seizures and was prescribed medication for this condition. Unfortunately, she became dependent and struggled with this condition. She voluntarily underwent rehabilitation and was working hard to address this problem. The Siegel family was attending a wedding in Park City, Utah, over the weekend of June 6. The family was planning to return to Orlando on Sunday, June 7 to begin a family cruise on the following Monday. At approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, Victoria was found by a housekeeper at the Siegel residence and emergency medical personnel were summoned to the residence. Unfortunately, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. David and Jacqueline were immediately notified and returned to Orlando the same day. While an autopsy has been performed, the cause of death has not been determined. It is likely that Victoria ingested one or more drugs prior to her death. However, we cannot determine at this time whether or not the drugs she took were in fact prescribed medication, something else, or where and how these drugs may have been obtained. We will have these answers as the investigation continues and the toxicology report is released. The family is deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support that they have received and request that their privacy be respected while they mourn their loss."
A public memorial will be held on Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church at 2 p.m.
David and Jacqueline Siegel were featured in a 2012 documentary, "Queen of Versailles," that followed them as they built their 90,000-square-foot mansion in Isleworth.
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