CAPE CORAL, Fla. — What began as a late afternoon boat outing on the Caloosahatchee River turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that has now claimed the lives of Brenna Millett, Rebecca Knight, and an unidentified 60-year-old man, while Neal Kirby remains in critical condition. The devastating crash, involving a 39-foot MTI speedboat, sent shockwaves through the Cape Coral community as first responders and multiple agencies raced to save lives and search for the missing boater.
A Catastrophic Crash
The crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday near the Cape Coral Yacht Club, in conditions that rescuers later described as challenging due to strong winds and choppy water. A viewer reported seeing the boat traveling between 75 and 80 mph, though officials have not confirmed the speed.
When crews arrived, the scene was chaotic and urgent. The speedboat, heavily damaged, was floating in the river as rescuers rushed to pull survivors from the water.
Three people—Brenna Millett, Rebecca Knight, and Neal Kirby—were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The fourth person, the 60-year-old man, was nowhere to be found.
Within hours, FWC officials confirmed that one person had died at the hospital, and the remaining two survivors were in critical condition. The crash was already considered one of the most severe boating incidents the region has seen in months.
A Massive Search Effort
As night fell, the search for the missing man intensified. The U.S. Coast Guard, FWC, and local fire departments deployed boats, dive teams, sonar equipment, underwater radar, and multiple helicopters in what officials called a “race against time.”
FWC spokesperson Bradley Johnson described the operation as a search-and-rescue mission, saying crews were still “hoping for the best possible outcome.”
But conditions were far from ideal. Strong winds whipped across the river Saturday night and into Sunday, hampering visibility and complicating the underwater search. Still, crews pressed forward, determined to bring answers to the victims’ families.
Two Lives Lost, One Clings to Survival
By Sunday morning, a second death was confirmed—another passenger from the boat, later identified as one of the women, either Brenna Millett or Rebecca Knight, both of whom tragically succumbed to their injuries.
Only Neal Kirby, still in critical condition, remained alive.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
At 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, authorities confirmed the news no one wanted to hear:
The missing 60-year-old boater had been found deceased.
His body was located near the site of the crash. FWC has stated that his identity will be released once next-of-kin notifications are completed.
Boat Recovered; Investigation Underway
The speedboat—an MTI model known for extreme speed—was pulled from the river Sunday afternoon. Investigators hope that examining the boat’s damage will help them piece together what happened in those final moments before the crash.
Officials say wind may have been a factor, but they are exploring all possibilities.
FWC will lead the investigation going forward.
A Community in Mourning
The deaths of Brenna Millett, Rebecca Knight, and the unnamed 60-year-old man have touched many in the boating community. What should have been a peaceful outing on the water ended in unimaginable loss.
For families who watched and waited through the night, the final updates brought heartbreak but also closure.
As Neal Kirby remains hospitalized in critical condition, friends, family, and strangers alike are offering prayers and support.
FWC Statement
FWC officials say more information will be released in the coming days as investigators gather witness statements, review radar data, study the vessel, and determine the chain of events that led to this devastating crash.
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In Loving Memory tributes for Brenna Millett and Rebecca Knight
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