Body removed from burnt vessel

A woman’s body was removed from a burnt yacht Friday at a Stock Island marina.

Identification and autopsy results are pending with the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. Foul play was not believed to be a factor as of Friday.

Linda Vella, 51, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was aboard a Viking yacht that burned at a marina at 7101 Shrimp Road at approximately 12:10 a.m. Wednesday. Investigators believed Vella was unable to escape the fire and was still aboard the vessel during the ensuing search.  

Vella’s husband and son, Michael Kenneth Robson, 58, and Anthony Joseph Vella, 21, both of St. Petersburg, Florida, were airlifted to a hospital in Miami shortly after the fire.

The boat was lifted out of the water with great care before it was searched as it was structurally comprised due to the blaze.

The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, TowBoat U.S., Monroe County Fire Rescue, and marina officials assisted Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives and the State Fire Marshal’s Office in the case.

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