Two Charged in Tragic Death of 15-Year-Old Ballerina

The incident that took the young teen's life occurred over a year ago, and no arrests were made at the time. Now, authorities have arrested and charged two men in connection with her death.

On May 12, 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported a boating accident involving a 15-year-old girl that occurred around 4:30 p.m. on May 11 in Miami.

According to a statement by the organization, the teen was waterskiing near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne when she was fatally struck by another vessel. She later died from the injuries.

Law enforcement began looking for the vessel, as it was last seen heading westbound in Nixon Beach. "It is described as a center console boat with a light blue hull. The boat has multiple white outboard motors and may have blue or dark blue bottom paint," the statement said.

The FWC did not initially disclose the victim's identity, but her loved ones confirmed it was Ella Riley Adler. A spokesperson for the agency noted that Adler "was wearing a life vest, as well as the ski boards on her feet."

She had been celebrating a friend's birthday on a family boat at the time of the crash. Adler was also a ballerina at Miami City Ballet and attended Ransom Everglades School. She was remembered as a dedicated student.

"She was a wonderful dancer, served on the speech and debate team, and was a member of the Jewish Student Association. She was a treasured friend to many," a spokesperson for the school said in a statement.

Shortly after the accident, the owner of the boat that killed Adler was identified as 79-year-old Carlos Guillermo Alonso. His attorney told NBC6 that he had been boating alone on the day of the incident.

"We don't know at this time whether (Alonso) or his boat were the boat involved in the crash. If his boat was involved, I can tell you he had absolutely no idea that that is what happened that day. He is as devastated as anybody could be," the attorney said.

Alonso cooperated with law enforcement during investigations. According to his attorney, law enforcement officials told them Alonso's actions did not cause the accident.

It was therefore a surprise when he was charged in April 2025 with two misdemeanors by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A second suspect named Edmund Richard Hartley, identified as the driver of Adler's towing boat at the time of the crash, has also been charged with four misdemeanors by the commission. Both have pleaded not guilty.