Authorities are urging anyone who may have information on the incident to come forward
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Authorities believe 31-year-old Kellie Melinda Williams was struck by a vessel while snorkeling or diving off the Florida coast
- Her body was discovered by two fishermen on Hollywood Beach on Wednesday, June 2
- Police are urging anyone with information on the incident to come forward
The body of a woman recently washed ashore on a Florida beach, and authorities believe she was likely hit by a boat while out in the water.
The body of Kellie Melinda Williams was discovered by fishermen off the shore of Hollywood Beach on Wednesday evening, June 2, per the Hollywood Police Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, according to NBC Miami, the Miami Herald and WSVN.
Police said it appeared as though Williams, 31, was snorkeling or diving in the area of Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park when she was hit by a vessel, according to NBC Miami and the Miami Herald.
Her body was found a few miles away from where she was believed to have been swimming, per police, according to the Miami Herald.
Credit: Florida State Parks
The Hollywood Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Two fishermen found the body and called authorities at about 8 p.m. local time, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), per the Miami Herald.
“The FWC would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Kellie Williams during this difficult time,” the agency said in a statement to the outlet.
Williams' parents — who said they were too distraught to appear on camera — described their daughter as a great person and an accomplished snorkeler, according to NBC 6.
The outlet reported that Williams, a California native, had recently married and was working as a flight attendant for American Airlines at the time of her death.
In a statement from American Airlines obtained by PEOPLE, a spokesperson said the airline is “deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague.”
“Our thoughts and support are with her family, loved ones and colleagues at this time,” the spokesperson added.
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The investigation into Williams' death remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about what happened to come forward, according to News 6.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the FWC Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or the Hollywood Police Department at 954-764-4357.
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