A woman has died after what investigators believe was a fatal collision with a vessel while she was snorkelling in coastal waters near Hollywood, Florida. The case has prompted a public appeal for witnesses as authorities work to identify the boat involved.
Kellie Melinda Williams, 31, was found in the surf near Hollywood Beach on the evening of 3 June 2026 after two fishermen spotted her body and contacted emergency services. Williams, originally from California, had recently moved to South Florida and had been married within the past year. She worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines, based out of Miami.
According to investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Williams had been snorkelling or diving earlier that day in waters near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, a popular coastal area located south of Fort Lauderdale. Authorities believe she was struck by a vessel while in the water, with her body then drifting several miles north before it was discovered.
The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office determined that her injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma. No vessel has been identified and no charges have been filed at this stage, as the investigation remains active.
American Airlines confirmed the news and extended its condolences to Williams’ family, fellow crew members, and loved ones, saying it was deeply saddened by her death.
Family members described Williams as a passionate and experienced snorkeller who loved spending time in the sea.
The FWC is leading the investigation in cooperation with the Hollywood Police Department. Authorities are urging anyone who was on the water in the area on 3 June, or who witnessed anything unusual, to come forward with information.
A Persistent Danger for Water Users
Vessel strikes — collisions between boats and people in the water — remain one of the most serious hazards faced by snorkellers and divers in busy coastal areas. Swimmers and snorkellers are often difficult to see from a moving vessel, particularly when conditions reduce surface visibility or when boaters are not actively watching for people in the water.
A surface marker buoy (SMB) — a brightly coloured inflatable tube that divers and snorkellers deploy at the surface — and the display of a dive flag are both widely recommended safety measures. However, even experienced water users can remain at risk if nearby boaters fail to notice them.
It is not yet known whether a dive flag or surface marker was in use at the time of the incident. Investigators have not released information about the operating conditions or circumstances of the collision, and it remains unclear whether the vessel operator knew they had struck someone.
The investigation is ongoing.
Mohsen Nabil is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Diventures Magazine. A mechanical engineer and scuba diving instructor based in the Red Sea, he writes about diving safety, marine conservation, underwater exploration, and developments in the global dive industry. Through Diventures Magazine, he works to connect divers, scientists, and ocean advocates while promoting responsible diving and protection of the oceans.
