Live Oak realtor, mother of 2 dies in boating accident on Suwannee River; FWC investigates

SUWANNEE RIVER, Fla. (WCJB) - A mother of two was found dead in the Suwannee River after a nearly six-hour search following a boating accident Wednesday night.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials were notified of a missing boater around 8 p.m. Wednesday in Gilchrist County.

Reports indicated a 17-foot vessel struck a dock, knocking two people into the water, just north of Rock Bluff Conservation Area. One of the passengers, Amber P. Buda, 44, did not surface.

First responders and Good Samaritans began searching the area around 1 a.m. Thursday, Buda’s body was recovered from the water, officials said.

Social media posts from friends and family indicate Buda was a mother of two and worked for Grantham Realty in Live Oak.

“It was always smiles, she was so passionate, anybody that met her they were better for meeting her,” said Jacob Grantham, a relative and the owner of Grantham Realty.

“Amber was passionate about everything she did... her relationship with her family as mom, her relationship with her sister, her relationship as a daughter… she was passionate about everything she did,” Grantham continued.

Authorities are reminding boaters to stay alert on the water, avoid distractions, and always wear life jackets—especially in low-light conditions.

FWC officials report that a man was also on the boat at the time of the incident. He was not publicly identified.

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