Following a “thorough investigation” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), two men have been charged in connection with the tragic May 2024 death of 15-year-old Ella Adler. Adler, a talented ballerina, was fatally struck by a boat on May 11 after falling while wakeboarding off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida.
The boat that allegedly hit Adler fled the scene. Later, Carlos Guillermo Alonso was identified as the vessel’s owner, while Edmund Richard Hartley was confirmed to be operating the boat towing Adler. In April 2025, both men were charged with multiple misdemeanors tied to the careless operation of a vessel.
Alonso faces two counts of violating U.S. Coast Guard navigational rules, and Hartley has been charged with four counts, including failure to avoid a collision. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Adler’s family continues to mourn her loss. Described as “a force of nature,” she had performed in over 100 shows of The Nutcracker with the Miami City Ballet and was beloved for her compassion and vibrant spirit. The FWC offered condolences, calling the event an “unimaginable loss.”
