Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused the crash that left a fourth person in critical condition.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Three people from Maine were killed over the weekend in a boating accident in Florida. A fourth person, also from the same group, survived but remains in critical condition.
Officials say the accident happened Saturday evening on a river in Cape Coral, just south of Fort Myers. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a 39-foot boat with four people on board capsized near the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Video from the scene shows the bottom of the boat visible above the water, supporting reports that it flipped. But as of Monday, investigators have not said what caused the crash.
The victims include Craig and Brenna Millett, a married couple who lived part of the year in Biddeford and the other half in Cape Coral, where they had been renovating a home. Craig was reportedly the former owner of Champagne’s Energy in Arundel. He had since sold the business to retire early. Friends say the Milletts were experienced boaters who loved spending time on the water.
Owen Williams, a close family friend who grew up with Craig in Old Orchard Beach, said boating was something Craig was passionate about for as long as he could remember. He said the Milletts had built a life in Florida and made many friends in the boating community there. Williams also shared that the couple has left behind two children, both in their twenties, who currently live in Maine.
Also killed in the crash was Rebecca Knight, another Mainer who had become friends with the Milletts after they met in Florida. Williams said he didn’t know Knight personally, but understood that she and the Milletts connected over their shared roots in Maine.
Brenna Millett and Rebecca Knight were found near the boat and later died at the hospital. Craig Millett’s body was recovered the next day during an underwater search. The fourth person in the boat, Neal Kirby, survived the accident but is still in critical condition, according to authorities.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation. So far, they have not released any information about how the boat ended up capsized. The boat has been recovered and taken in for inspection as part of the ongoing investigation.
Williams said the news has been devastating for both communities in Maine and in Florida. He described the Milletts as people who had built meaningful connections in both places and will be greatly missed.
As of Monday, the boating community in Cape Coral and loved ones back in Maine continue to share tributes and memories on social media. Many are hoping for answers in the days ahead as the investigation continues.
This story is still developing. We’ll update with more details as they become available from Florida officials.
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