Eerie new footage shows millionaire owner, 78, of ‘death boat’ setting sail shortly before ballerina, 15, was struck and killed in ‘hit and run’ – and then returning to his home 90 minutes later
Creepy surveillance footage captured the moment a 78-year-old boater left a dock shortly before he allegedly attacked and killed beloved local ballerina Ella Adler.
Lawyers for suspect Carlos ‘Bill’ Alonso have released the footage as they say it supports his claim that he had no idea of the tragic accident before driving away from the scene.
In the images of Fox6was seen unmooring his 40-foot Boston Whaler vessel shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, before returning in a peaceful manner around 4:30 p.m.
Alonso has not been charged and his lawyers say the video shows he was “alone, not drinking and had no idea he might have hit anyone.”
It comes as tributes pour in for Adler, 15, following her death as her family said she was a “force of nature” who performed more than 100 times with the Miami City Ballet.
Creepy surveillance footage captured the moment a 78-year-old boater left a dock shortly before he allegedly struck and killed beloved local ballerina Ella Adler
Pictured: Carlos Guillermo Alonso, the man who police say hit Ella Riley Adler with his boat while she was wakeboarding on May 11
Adler, 15, was celebrating a friend’s birthday when she was struck and killed
The tragedy unfolded as Adler was celebrating a friend’s birthday off the coast of Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne, and officials said she was wading in the water after wakeboarding.
A boater struck and killed the 15-year-old in the water, with witnesses describing “a lot of blood” where the boat sped away.
Alonso was identified as a suspect two days later and his boat was found docked behind his home in Hammock Oaks.
He insisted he had no idea of the tragedy and was cooperating with police.
In a statement, his attorney Lauren Krasnoff said she hopes the release of the footage will more clearly show her client’s actions at the time.
“This was an unthinkable tragedy and our hearts break for Ella and her family,” Krasnoff’s statement read.
‘We hope this video helps to quell some of the terrible and unfounded rumors circulating about Bill, who is absolutely devastated.
“As the video shows, Bill was alone and had no idea he had hit anyone.
“He parked the boat at his house, he was calm, he didn’t clean the boat and he didn’t try to hide anything.”
The skipper’s attorney added that he will continue to cooperate “in every way possible” with the ongoing law enforcement investigation.
A first responder revealed that when they arrived at the scene of the accident (pictured), officials found “a lot of blood in the water” and the driver sped away.
Alonso was identified as a suspect two days after the crash and his boat was found moored behind his home in Hammock Oaks (pictured)
Ella (pictured centre) was described as having ‘a great group of friends’ and someone who was proud of her Jewish heritage. Ella was also a celebrated local ballerina who was cast in performances of The Nutcracker and performed more than 100 times for the Miami City Ballet
The update comes just days after Adler’s funeral was held by her heartbroken family and friends, with tributes pouring in for the talented teenager.
Rabbi Jonathan Berkun, who led the service, called Ella “a star, a force of nature.”
“You were taken from us far too soon and the world was robbed of everything you could have achieved. But you will always be here with us and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit with them forever,” he added.
The teen was a high achiever and was involved in many different organizations and clubs, including her school’s Jewish Student Association, the debate team and the Miami City Ballet.
“Ella Adler was not only a beloved student and a fantastic dancer who graced our stage in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker; she was an integral part of our family,” Miami City Ballet spokesperson Billy Zavelson told DailyMail.com.
Rachel Rodriguez, the principal of Ransom Everglades School where Adler attended, also shared the school community’s collective grief over Adler’s untimely death.
“Our hearts are broken and our community is devastated by this tragedy. Ella shined in our classrooms and on our stages,” Rodriguez said.
“During this time of unspeakable pain, we are moved by the outpouring of kindness and compassion from the Ransom Everglades community.”
After Adler’s funeral service in Miami on Monday, mourners support each other as they leave Temple Beth Sholom
Friends and family attended Ella’s funeral Monday morning, Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach
Ella Riley Adler is pictured (center) with her immediate family, from the Facebook page of her father Matthew Adler, a real estate developer
Ella is survived by her parents, Amanda and Matthew, along with her siblings Jaden and Adalynn. She was also the great-granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, and her grandfather is the current US ambassador to Belgium.
Adler’s family has requested donations in her memory be made to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation or the Miami City Ballet.
The teen’s obituary went on to characterize her as a relentlessly dedicated student who loved celebrating life.
‘Ella worked hard in everything she did. She had a precocious discipline and focus that belied her age. She didn’t know what it was like to work at half speed.
‘She gave it her all and that’s what set her apart. She worked relentlessly at school, where she excelled,” loved ones wrote.