Authorities have identified the alligator responsible for the fatal attack on hiker Brittany Clark in Florida, matching its bite marks with those on her arm.
The preliminary findings from the Orange County medical examiner’s report noted that the bite pattern on Clark’s left arm corresponds with the alligator’s dentition.
Clark, 31, was hiking in Little Big Econ State Forest alongside her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and friends when they paused for a swim in the Econlockhatchee River.
While in about three feet of water, a 12-foot alligator grabbed her arm and initiated a deadly maneuver known as a “death roll,” as described by Grant Eller from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
This “death roll” involves an alligator violently spinning its prey to incapacitate it.
Allison attempted to rescue Clark, but the alligator pulled both of them underwater, releasing Clark momentarily before biting Allison’s other arm, as detailed in the report.
Clark sustained severe injuries, including a partial amputation of her left arm and a serious fracture in her right arm during the attack.
After the incident, wildlife trappers captured two alligators, one measuring approximately 12.5 feet and another about 13 feet long, sending DNA samples to a lab to confirm which one was responsible for Clark’s death.
The severed head of the alligator suspected in the attack was preserved for further examination if needed to ascertain the cause of death.
Though the alligator that caused Clark’s death has been buried, the coroner’s report included a request for a photograph of its stomach contents.
Allison managed to get Clark to the shore and called for emergency services. Sadly, when paramedics arrived, she was found without a pulse and was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital.
Loved ones have expressed their grief, recalling Clark as a vibrant individual who cherished nature and outdoor activities. Her father, Robert Clark, shared that she was outgoing and always seeking self-improvement.
Allison recalled how passionate Clark was about the outdoors, saying, “Every weekend, we would go on water powerboards, kayaks, and boat rides. She made sure we had at least one day on the water every weekend.”
