Authorities in Florida have discovered a boat linked to a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a teenage wakeboarder in the Miami area. Ella Adler, a 15-year-old, was struck by a boat while wakeboarding near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne on Saturday afternoon, as per Officer George Reynaud, a spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Adler had fallen into the water about a mile from shore and was waiting to be picked up by her boat when another vessel hit her, Reynaud explained. The boat that struck her did not stop, according to FWC. After a multi-day search, FWC announced on Tuesday that they have a boat matching the description given by witnesses of the striking vessel in their possession. The boat's owner is cooperating with the investigation, FWC reported.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto expressed his condolences to the Adler family, stating, "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 investigation is ongoing, and FWC has appealed for anyone with information or footage to come forward. The vessel being sought is described as a center console boat with a light blue hull, possibly blue or dark blue bottom paint, and multiple white outboard engines, believed to be 30 to 40 feet in length.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information in the investigation, with FWC and Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers each offering up to $5,000, and Adler's family offering an additional $10,000.
In a statement to ABC News, Ella's parents, Amanda and Matt Adler, mourned their daughter's loss, describing her as a shining star who brought light into their lives. Ella was a student at Ransom Everglades School, where she was known for her academic excellence, dancing, and active involvement in student associations.
The Miami City Ballet, where Ella was a ballerina, also paid tribute to her, noting her remarkable talent and calling her a "force of nature."