KEY BISCAYNE, FLA. (WSVN) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has identified a ‘vessel of interest’ in connection with a fatal boating incident that occurred near Nixon Beach Sandbar in Biscayne Bay, officials confirmed.
On Saturday, FWC officers responded to reports of a boating incident involving 15-year-old Ella Adler.
Adler, who was wakeboarding at the time, fell into the water and was struck by another vessel, resulting in her death.
According to FWC, the vessel did not stop after the collision.
Following witness descriptions, FWC officers initiated a search for the striking vessel.
On Tuesday afternoon, FWC confirmed they identified a vessel matching the boat’s description, which is now in their custody in the Coast Guard base in Miami Beach. Then the vessel will be taken to another location to be closely examined.
“We have identified a boat that fits the description of the information provided by witnesses and we have taken custody of the boat,” said FWC Lt. Col. Alfredo Escanio.
Video, shared by a 7News viewer, shows FWC investigators driving away in a boat that the agency confirmed was the ‘vessel of interest.’
The FWC and Coral Gables Police were seen at a Coral Gables home all day on Tuesday as they spoke to the owners of the boat.
According to county records, the home is owned by Carlos and Magaly Alonso.
The owner of the vessel is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“This was a big step that is part of a lengthy investigation, but a very significant big step is finding a vessel that fits the description that has been provided to us,” said Escanio.
So far, no arrests have been made.
The tragedy caught the attention of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who visited the family on Tuesday. Ella is the granddaughter of of U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Michael Alder.
The Adler family released the following statement:
We are honored that the First Lady paid a shiva call to our family during this time of immense pain. We are touched by their support and love and we are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for over 40 years.
The Adler family
A funeral service for Ella was held Monday morning at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. Adler was a freshman at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove and a ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.
A total reward of up to $20,000 was being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
“We don’t know if the person who hit her, even knows he hit her. We don’t know the answer to that at this point so there’s a lot of unanswered questions,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
FWC investigators urge anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
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