Florida authorities confirmed Tuesday that they are in possession of the speedboat that struck and killed teenage dancer Ella Riley Adler, 15, while water skiing with friends last weekend.
The boat was discovered outside a home in Coral Gables, in the exclusive gated community of Hammock Oaks and Lakes, where homes sell for more than $1 million.
In a statement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the boat’s owner is cooperating with the investigation.
It is unclear if the owner was driving at the time of the tragedy.
Adler, who was buried in a heartbreaking funeral on Monday in which she was celebrated as a “star” and a “force of nature,” died after being struck by the ship off Key Biscayne, near Miami, in what investigators They described it as a “hit and run.
Meanwhile, the family confirmed to NBC Miami that First Lady Jill Biden visited the Adler family after the funeral in the Jewish mourning tradition known as Shiva, which lasts a seven-day period.
‘We are honored that the First Lady made a Shiva call to our family during this time of immense grief. “We are touched by her support and love and are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for more than 40 years,” the statement said.
The boat that authorities say was involved in the death of 15-year-old Ella Adler on Saturday
In the wake of Ella’s death, Florida officials announced a $20,000 reward for information about her killer.
Ella’s grandfather, Michael Adler, is the current US ambassador to Belgium and was previously considered a candidate to be ambassador to Israel when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
In the wake of Ella’s death, Florida officials announced a $20,000 reward that provides information about her killer.
Maritime lawyer Michael Winkleman debunked a rumor on social media that the boat’s driver might not know if he hit a person.
“I find it extremely hard to believe, because hitting a person is a large object, you would definitely feel it, especially if you’re going at any kind of speed.” . So it’s very hard for me to imagine that,” she said. NBCMiami.
The Coral Gables house where the speedboat was found
Ella’s (center) devastated family described her as a “force of nature” who “loved to dance,” and was a celebrated local dancer with the Miami City Ballet.
‘I don’t know if he was drunk. I don’t know if he wasn’t paying attention. But you have to pay attention to the water and open water like you pay attention to the street,” said family friend Robert Strauss. CBSMiami.
Crime Stoppers said in a statement that the ship could be anywhere in the region as the investigation continues. ‘There is a family, a group of friends, whose Mother’s Day and her life have changed forever!’ the agency said in a statement.
In her obituary, Ella’s great-grandparents are mentioned as Holocaust survivors, as is her Jewish pride.
The speedboat appears outside an exclusive home in a gated community.
The boat is towed from in front of an exclusive home in Coral Gables
She was a celebrated local dancer who participated in performances of The Nutcracker and performed more than 100 times for the Miami City Ballet.
Mourners support each other as they leave Temple Beth Sholom after Adler’s funeral in Miami on Monday.
At the service, Ella was referred to as a “star.”
Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman debunked a rumor on social media that the boat’s driver may not have known if he hit a person.
In addition to her dance activities, Ella was a member of the Ransom Everglades Jewish Student Association.
She appeared in over 100 different productions of The Nutcracker with Miami City Ballet and recently appeared in a Chicago school production.
“We must remember her as she would have wanted to be remembered, as a star, a force of nature, a bright and beautiful young woman who was loved, admired, treasured and adored by more people than anyone her age would normally be.” Rabbi Jonathan Berkum said Monday, reports the Miami-Herald.
“To have known Her all my life, as I have been blessed, is to know how wrong and unfair it is for us to have lost Her so soon,” he continued.
‘His death is enough to make us question our faith… God did not do this. Rather, God is here crying bitter tears.’
Meanwhile, one of Ella’s school friends also read a moving statement.
‘She, you had so many qualities to admire. You were passionate about your faith. You loved your family. You loved your friends. And you were loved by everyone. “I miss you so much and I will honor your memory by never forgetting the special things you have,” she said.
At the funeral, Ella’s friends cried loudly as Rihanna’s song Diamonds in the Sky played while the teenager’s face appeared on a large screen with her date of birth and death.
The funeral was held at Temple Beth Shalom.
‘I don’t know if he was drunk. I don’t know if he wasn’t paying attention. But you have to pay attention to the water and open water like you pay attention to the street,” family friend Robert Strauss told CBS Miami.
‘It’s really sad to hear. I heard she was a very nice girl, she was on the dance team and had a lot of good friends. “I can’t even imagine the pain they’re going through,” said a fellow Ransom Everglades student. CBSMiami.
“It seemed like a freak accident and, even worse, a hit and run. That’s kind of evil. How can you not have the conscience to help the girl you just hit with your boat?” Myles Gelber said.
Before becoming ambassador to Belgium, Michael Adler served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Miami and served on the board of directors of Florida International University.
Ella’s obituary mentioned her love for the state of Israel.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-3922 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
