The father of Ella Riley Adler, the 15-year-old ballerina killed in a Miami boat hit-and-run accident, said in a heartbreaking letter read at the teenager’s funeral that he and his wife always wanted their daughter to be “the best.” He recalled that he felt that he was “receiving something.” And that her death “robbed” her of everything she could have achieved in her life.
Matthew Adler’s letter was among hundreds of people attending Monday’s funeral for his daughter Ella, who was killed when her boat crashed and spun out of control while celebrating a friend’s birthday at Nixon Beach on Key Biscayne on Saturday. was read out in front of the mourners.
“Mom and I have been saying for years that you truly inherited the best of both of us,” the mourner said in a letter read by one of the girl’s aunts. One father wrote: According to the Miami Herald.
“…you were taken from us too soon and the world was robbed of everything you could have achieved. But you will always be here with us and your Your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit with you forever.”
The crowd inside Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach was filled Monday with people mourning Ella, a new student at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove.
The girl was a member of her school’s dance team and a ballerina with the Miami City Ballet, appearing in more than 100 productions of “The Nutcracker.”
During the service, Rabbi Jonathan Barkun of Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center asked mourners to remember Ella as the star she was.
“The way she wanted to be remembered, as a star, as a force of nature, as a radiant, gorgeous young woman who was loved, admired, cherished and worshiped by more people than anyone her age. “We must remember her,” he said.
“I was blessed, but knowing Ella my whole life makes me realize how wrong and unfair it was for us to lose her so soon.” Mr. Barkun said. “Her death is enough to make us question our faith…. God did no such thing. Rather, God is weeping bitter tears here.”
A friend of Ella’s, who had recently participated in the school’s production of “Chicago,” tearfully spoke of her passion for ballet and the performing arts. The teenager also took singing lessons and was a member of the speech and debate team.
According to her friends, the slain boy had hoped to one day become president of the United States.
“Ella, you had so many admirable qualities,” she said. “You were passionate about your faith. You loved your family. You loved your friends. And you were loved by everyone. We will miss you so much. . We will never forget what was special about you and honor your memory.”
Ella’s sister, Adalyn Adler, also wrote in a letter that her aunt read: “I will always have you in my heart.”
Miami City Ballet elaborated on Ella’s impact on the company, calling her “an integral part of our family, radiating potential and promise, whose kindness, warmth, and contagious joy are… Everybody knew.”
The funeral ended with many young people breaking down in tears as photos and videos of Ella were played while Rihanna’s “Diamonds in the Sky” played in the background.
Ella was killed on Saturday when she was hit by a boat while celebrating a friend’s birthday. The 15-year-old dancer was left swaying in the water after the accident, as first responders reported “a large amount of blood” coming out of his body.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which is investigating the hit-and-run, is offering a $20,000 reward for information that led to the arrest, and an additional $5,000 from Miami Crime Stoppers. A dollar reward has been offered and the suspect has not yet been identified. .
The agency on Monday updated the description of the boat involved in the accident, saying it was a center console boat with a light blue hull and multiple white outboard engines.
Boats may also have blue or dark blue bottom paint.
