Former Erlanger CEO's wife missing after Florida condo collapse

Judy Spiegel / File photo
Judy Spiegel / File photo

Judy Spiegel, the wife of former Erlanger CEO Kevin Spiegel, is missing following the collapse of a 12-story beachfront condominium building in Surfside, Florida, just outside Miami.

Kevin Spiegel, who resides at the Champlain Towers South Condo, confirmed Thursday afternoon via text message his wife was missing.

"Judy is missing. I'm flying to Miami now. Please pray for her," Spiegel wrote.

The collapse happened around 1:30 a.m., and about half of the building's roughly 130 units were affected, according to The Associated Press.

"We hold the Spiegel family in our hearts tonight, and we can only imagine the worry and angst that the Spiegels are experiencing," Erlanger Chaplain Gregory Daniel said following a moment of silence for Judy Spiegel during a hospital board meeting Thursday. "We seek your divine providence in finding her well and alive. .. May those involved in the rescue efforts be granted strength, wisdom, energy as they render aid."

AP reported that rescuers "pulled at least 35 people from the wreckage by mid-morning, and heavy equipment was being brought in to help stabilize the structure to give them more access, Raide Jadallah of Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue said." The news service reported at least one death.

photo Judy Spiegel / File photo

Frank Rollason, director of Miami-Dade Emergency Management, told the Miami Herald Thursday morning that emergency workers believe they have cleared all easily reachable survivors from inside the tower.

"Everyone who is alive is out of the building," he told the Herald.

Contact Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.

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