Authorities have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the tragic death of 15-year-old Ella Adler, who was struck and killed by a boat while waterskiing in Biscayne Bay over the weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced on Tuesday that they have located and taken custody of a boat matching the description provided by eyewitnesses.
Ella Adler, a talented ballerina and student at Ransom Everglades School, was being towed while waterskiing on Saturday afternoon when she fell into the water near the Nixon Beach Sandbar. Tragically, another vessel struck her and fled the scene, leaving the teen fatally injured.
In a statement, FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto expressed relief at the progress made in the case but also spoke about the heartbreaking nature of the incident.
“As a father and grandfather, my heart is broken for the Adler family. Ella’s death is devastating for her family, friends, and the community at large. The FWC and our partner law enforcement agencies will not stop until we have all the answers and the case is solved.”
The boat in question, described as a light blue center console with three or four white outboard engines, was spotted docked behind a home in the Hammock Oaks neighborhood of southwest Miami-Dade. Aerial footage captured by Chopper 6 showed FWC officers securing the vessel, which matched the eyewitness accounts, before towing it away for further examination.
Authorities credited a crucial eyewitness tip for leading them to the boat’s location. While the owner’s identity has not been disclosed, officials confirmed that the individual is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. It remains unclear whether the owner was operating the boat during the fatal incident involving Ella Adler.