Snorkeling Woman, 31, Dies After Boat Collision in Florida

WHO:

WPLG Local 10 - Williams had recently married.

WPLG Local 10 - The victim was identified as 31-year-old Kellie Melinda Williams.

WPLG Local 10 - Williams was an American Airlines flight attendant and experienced swimmer.

WPLG Local 10 - Williams was born in California and lived in South Florida.

WHAT:

WPLG Local 10 - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking additional information regarding the incident and has asked witnesses to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

WPLG Local 10 - Kellie Melinda Williams died after being struck by a boat while snorkeling.

WPLG Local 10 - Her body was found washed ashore on a Broward County beach.

WPLG Local 10 - The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her cause of death as blunt force injuries.

WPLG Local 10 - FWC officials confirmed that Williams had injuries consistent with a vessel strike.

WHERE:

WPLG Local 10 - The incident occurred near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach.

WPLG Local 10 - Williams' body was found on Hollywood Beach in Broward County.

WHEN:

WPLG Local 10 - Authorities were notified about the incident on Thursday.

WPLG Local 10 - The victim was spotted in the surf near Hollywood Beach at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

WHY:

WPLG Local 10 - The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the boat strike.

HOW:

WPLG Local 10 - Witnesses reported seeing fishermen pull Williams from the water.

WPLG Local 10 - Two fishermen spotted Williams in the surf and called law enforcement.

(UPDATED June 7, 2026 08:06 UTC)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking for more information about an incident involving a recently married individual named Williams, and they are urging witnesses to reach out to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Eyewitnesses reported that they saw fishermen pulling Williams from the water. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this event.

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(UPDATED June 7, 2026 01:39 UTC)

Kellie Melinda Williams, a 31-year-old American Airlines flight attendant and experienced swimmer, tragically died after being struck by a boat while snorkeling near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach. Her body was discovered washed ashore on Hollywood Beach, and the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled her cause of death as blunt force injuries consistent with a vessel strike. Authorities were alerted to the incident after two fishermen spotted her in the surf and called law enforcement, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boat strike is ongoing.