The body of an American Airlines flight attendant was discovered on a South Florida beach after a suspected diving accident.
Kellie Melinda Williams was discovered on Hollywood Beach around 8:00 p.m. on June 3, by fishermen who called authorities to the scene.
“Two fishermen were fishing right off the beach, and I saw them from my window pulling something, then I saw them drag something onto the shoreline,” witness Emilio Benitez told NBC6. “It turned out to be a lady’s body.”
Authorities from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who identified the 31-year-old, told CBS News she “had injuries consistent with a vessel strike.”
According to Local10, Williams had gone snorkeling earlier in the day when she disappeared. The exact circumstances of her death are currently under investigation and authorities have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Williams’ parents told NBC6 their daughter, who was married in October according to her social media account, was a “great person” and an accomplished snorkeler.
The Miami chapter of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants announced Williams’ death on Instagram, writing: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our colleague and fellow MIA Flight Attendant, Kellie Williams.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Kellie’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
A California native living in South Florida for work, Williams was an experienced diver and her Instagram page is filled with images of her underwater.
Her last video posted to social media five weeks ago shows her snorkelling with the caption: “Made the cutest fish friend today!”
Hollywood Beach is a popular diving and snorkelling destination, with its bright blue water and proximity to Florida’s coral reef tract.
The diving and hunting Facebook page, Killshot Life, wrote at length about the dangers of diving in the area, stating: “Let this be a reminder to every diver, snorkeler, spearfisherman, and boater reading this: do not dive alone. Have a buddy. Have a plan. Use a proper dive flag. Stay near it. Make yourself as visible as possible. Pay attention to current, distance, boat lanes, inlets, and changing conditions. Do everything you can control.
“And boaters need to understand that a dive flag is not a suggestion. It means there are human beings in the water. Slow down. Give it room. Keep your head on a swivel. In Florida, boaters are supposed to stay at least 300 feet from a divers-down flag in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets, or channels, and if you are closer than that, you need to be at idle speed.
“But this is also the hard part: even when divers do everything right, that does not mean everyone else will. You can follow the rules and still be put in danger by someone who is distracted, careless, speeding, or simply not paying attention.”
The FWC is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about what happened to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
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