American Airlines Flight Attendant Found Dead on Florida Beach

Hollywood Police, which is jointly investigating alongside the FWC, told the station Williams had likely spent that day snorkeling in the waters near the state park.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 6/8/2026, 10:16:25 PM EDT

American Airlines Flight Attendant Found Dead on Florida Beach — General view of American Airlines hub on Miami International Airport (MIA) runway in Miami, Fla., on Dec. 24, 2020. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

The body of a 31-year-old American Airlines flight attendant was found washed ashore on a Florida beach on June 3—the second death of an American Airlines crew member in just over two months.

Wildlife officials said Kellie Melinda Williams was the victim of an apparent boat strike while she was snorkeling.

Williams, who was based out of Miami International Airport, was found in the surf on the night of June 3 by two fishermen near Dr. Von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, at the northern end of Hollywood Beach, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The fishermen notified FWC of what the agency classified as a "fatal boating incident," an FWC spokesperson told WMBB‑TV, a Nexstar-owned ABC affiliate in Panama City, Florida.

Hollywood Police, which is jointly investigating alongside the FWC, told the station Williams had likely spent that day snorkeling in the waters near the state park. Investigators with the FWC noted that her injuries appeared "consistent with a vessel strike.”

"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.

Both the FWC and Hollywood Police did not return requests for comment from NTD News when contacted on Monday.

American Airlines confirmed the loss of one of its own in an emailed statement.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague," the carrier said in a statement to NTD News. "Our thoughts and support are with her family, loved ones and colleagues at this time."

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) Miami branch announced Williams' death to its membership on Instagram, and said it would be gathering cards for her family at Miami International Airport, where Williams was based. The union also noted that support services were available to members in need.

Both the FWC and Hollywood Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the FWC by calling 888-404-FWCC (3922). Hollywood Police can be reached at 954-764-4357, 954-967-4567, or by email at [email protected].

Another American Airlines Crew Member Tragedy

Williams' death follows another tragedy involving American Airlines crew members. In late March, a body found in the Colombian countryside was identified with near certainty as Eric Fernando Gutiérrez Molina, 31, an American Airlines flight attendant from Addison, Texas, who had gone missing in Medellín after a night out, according to that city's mayor.

Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez announced the discovery on X, saying remains had been found in a rural area between the municipality of Jericó and Puente Iglesias and were being transported to the city's legal medicine facility for identification. He said law enforcement had developed strong leads, adding: "Let justice be done. Even, that those responsible be requested in extradition."

According to a close friend, Gutiérrez Molina had gone out to a club with a colleague, where they met two strangers. The group moved on after the club closed—and Gutiérrez Molina was never seen again. The FBI's Dallas Field Office took over management of the U.S. side of the case, according to Addison Police.

American Airlines said it was "actively engaged with local law enforcement officials in their investigation" and was doing "all we can to support our team member's family," according to a statement from the carrier.