Pictured: Speed boat that hit and killed teen ballerina Ella Riley Adler, 15, while she was waterskiing at a friend’s birthday in Miami as First Lady Jill Biden attended wake with traumatized family
Authorities in Florida confirmed Tuesday that they are in possession of the speedboat that struck and killed 15-year-old teenage ballerina Ella Riley Adler while she was water skiing with friends last weekend.
Adler, who was buried Monday in a heartbreaking funeral where she was celebrated as a “star” and a “force of nature,” died after being struck by the ship in Key Biscayne, near Miami, in what investigators described as a “hit and walked away.’
The boat was located outside a home in Coral Gables in the exclusive gated community of Hammock Oaks and Lakes, where homes regularly sell for seven figures.
In a statement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the boat’s owner is cooperating with the investigation. It is not clear if the owner was driving at the time of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the family confirmed to NBC Miami that First Lady Jill Biden visited the Adler family after the funeral in the Jewish tradition of mourning known as Shiva, which lasts for a period of seven days.
“We are honored that the First Lady made a Shiva call to our family during this time of immense pain. “We have been touched by their support and love and are proud to call the President and First Lady our friends for more than four decades,” the statement said.
According to authorities, the boat was involved in the death of 15-year-old Ella Adler on Saturday
Ella’s (center) devastated family described her as a “force of nature” who “loved to dance,” and she was a celebrated local ballerina with the Miami City Ballet.
In the wake of Ella’s death, officials in Florida announced a $20,000 reward leading to information about her killer
‘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 just like you pay attention to the street,” family friend Robert Strauss told CBS Miami
Ella was a celebrated local ballerina who was cast in performances of The Nutcracker and performed more than 100 times for the Miami City Ballet
Ella’s grandfather, Michael Adler, is the current US ambassador to Belgium and was previously considered a contender to become ambassador to Israel when President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
In the wake of Ella’s death, officials in Florida announced a $20,000 reward that would lead to information about her killer.
Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman has discredited a social media rumor that the boat’s driver may not have known if he hit a person.
‘I find that extremely hard to believe because hitting a person is a large object. You would definitely feel that, especially when you are driving at any speed. . So it’s hard for me to imagine that,” he said NBC Miami.
‘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, just like you pay attention to the street,” family friend Robert Strauss said. CBS Miami.
Crime Stoppers said in a statement that the boat could be anywhere in the region as the investigation continues. There is one family, one group of friends, whose Mother’s Day and lives were changed forever!,” the agency said in a statement.
Her obituary notes that Ella’s great-grandparents were Holocaust survivors, as does her Jewish pride.
After Adler’s funeral service in Miami on Monday, mourners support each other as they leave Temple Beth Sholom
At the service, Ella was referred to as a “star.”
Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman has discredited a social media rumor that the boat’s driver may not have known if they hit someone
In addition to her dance activities, Ella was a member of the Ransom Everglades Jewish Students Association
The Coral Gables house where the speedboat was located
In addition to her dance activities, Ella was a member of the Ransom Everglades Jewish Students Association.
Ella has appeared in over 100 different productions of The Nutcracker with the Miami City Ballet and recently appeared in a school production of Chicago.
“We should remember her as she would want to be remembered, as a star, a force of nature, a radiant and beautiful young woman who was loved, admired, cherished and adored by more people than anyone of her age would normally be.” Rabbi Jonathan Berkum said on Monday, it was reported the Miami Herald.
“To have known Ella all her life, as I have been blessed to do, is to know how wrong and unfair it is for us to have lost her so soon,” he continued.
“Her death is enough to make us question our faith. God did not do this. On the contrary, God is weeping bitter tears here.’
Meanwhile, one of Ella’s school friends also read a moving statement.
‘Ella, 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 about you,” she said.
At the funeral, Ella’s friends cried loudly as Rihanna’s song Diamonds in the Sky played, while the teen’s face appeared on a large screen with her date of birth and death displayed.
The funeral took place at Temple Beth Shalom.
‘It’s really sad to hear. I heard she was a very nice girl, she was on the dance team, she had a lot of good friends. I can’t even imagine the pain they’re going through,” said a fellow Ransom Everglades student CBS Miami.
‘It sounded like a freak accident and even worse like a collision. That’s just a bit evil. How can you not have a conscience to help the girl you just hit with your boat,” said Myles Gelber.
Before becoming ambassador to Belgium, Michael Adler was president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and served on the board of Florida International University.
Ella’s obituary noted her love for the State of Israel.
Anyone with any 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.