William “Stone” Romberg, a 31-year-old hospitality manager and father of two, has died after entering the water to rescue a seagull accidentally caught on his fishing line at Panama City Beach, Florida. His death has devastated his family, colleagues and the coastal community where he was known for his work and his connections with local residents.
Romberg was fishing with friends near Phillips Inlet, close to the Pinnacle Port Condominiums, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, when his fishing line caught the bird. Rather than leave the animal tangled in the line, he went into the water to try to free it.
The rescue attempt ended in tragedy. According to accounts shared by his employer and a fundraiser organizer, Romberg became entangled with the bird and fishing hook as he tried to release it. When he attempted to return to shore, the current carried him farther out into the water, and he drowned.
Romberg leaves behind his wife, Taylor, and their two young daughters, aged one and three. The family had celebrated their youngest daughter’s first birthday just two weeks before his death.
How William “Stone” Romberg Died at Panama City Beach
The incident happened near Phillips Inlet in the Florida Panhandle, where Romberg was spending time fishing with friends.
According to information shared by his employer, La Dolce Vita, Romberg’s fishing line accidentally caught a seagull. He entered the water in an effort to free the bird, but his hand became caught on the bird and the fishing hook while he tried to untangle the line.
Romberg then attempted to swim back to shore. However, the current pulled him farther into the water, and he drowned.
Accounts shared by those connected to the incident say his friends found him in the water and attempted CPR, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
His death has drawn attention to the dangers that can arise when fishing lines become tangled with wildlife near the shoreline. Romberg’s intention was to help the trapped bird, but the situation quickly became dangerous.
La Dolce Vita Remembers Its Beach Service Manager
Romberg worked as a Beach Service Manager for La Dolce Vita, a beach services company serving coastal communities in the area. His employer announced his death in a tribute that remembered both his compassion and the impression he made on others.
“Stone tragically lost his life while fishing at the beach and attempting to help a bird caught in his fishing line. His kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, and he will be deeply missed,” the company said.
The tribute reflected the circumstances surrounding his final moments and the loss felt by colleagues who knew him through his work.
Romberg, who was originally from Atlanta, Georgia, was also known in the surrounding beach communities. His death has prompted tributes from people who encountered him through work, neighborhood life and local businesses.
Wife Taylor and Two Daughters Left Behind
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Romberg’s death is the young family he leaves behind.
His wife, Taylor, is now facing life without her husband while caring for their two daughters, aged one and three. The timing has added to the family’s grief: their youngest daughter had celebrated her first birthday only two weeks before the drowning.
A GoFundMe fundraiser organized by Heidi Fortner was established to help Taylor and the children with expenses following the unexpected loss.
The fundraiser has brought attention to the family’s immediate needs as they navigate the death of a husband and father. For the couple’s young daughters, the loss comes at an especially early stage of their lives.
Carillon Beach Community Pays Tribute to Romberg
Romberg’s death has also affected the wider Carillon Beach community, where residents and local businesses remembered him as a valued part of the area.
The Carillon Beach homeowners association shared a tribute acknowledging the impact of his death on residents, staff members and the beach service team.
“Our Carillon Beach family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Stone Romberg, a cherished member of our community whose passing has touched so many of our homeowners, staff, and beach service team,” the association wrote.
Panama City Beach cafe Salty Bottle & Brew also remembered Romberg in a social media tribute, describing him as a familiar local figure and a devoted husband and father.
The tributes reflect the connections he had built in the community and the grief being felt by those who knew him beyond his immediate family.
Fundraiser Supports Romberg’s Wife and Children
Following Romberg’s death, the fundraiser organized by Fortner was set up to provide financial assistance to Taylor and their two daughters as they face the consequences of losing their family’s husband and father.
The appeal offers a way for people who wish to help the family to contribute toward expenses during an extraordinarily difficult period. Details about the fundraiser and its current fundraising total should be checked directly on the original campaign page before publication.
Romberg’s death has left his family, colleagues and community mourning a man remembered for his kindness and his role in the lives of those around him. His attempt to free a trapped seagull became a fatal accident, and his wife and daughters now face an unimaginable loss.
As tributes continue, loved ones are remembering William “Stone” Romberg not only for the circumstances of his death, but also for the relationships he built as a husband, father, colleague and member of the Panama City Beach community.
