Florida Confirms 13-Foot Alligator DNA Matched Brittany Clark in Fatal June 28 River Attack
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 17
Florida Confirms 13-Foot Alligator DNA Matched Brittany Clark in Fatal June 28 River Attack
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 17
Summary
Laboratory testing tied Brittany Clark, 31, to the 13-foot alligator captured after the June 28 attack on the Econlockhatchee River, Florida wildlife officials said.
A preliminary medical examiner report said the alligator grabbed Clark's arm while she swam in shoulder-deep water, then performed a "death roll" as her boyfriend tried to pull it off.
FWC said bite marks on Clark's arm matched the front-row teeth of the 13-foot gator; trappers had killed both a 12.5-foot and a 13-foot alligator after the attack and tested both.
The investigation remains active, while officials renewed warnings that alligators live in freshwater across all 67 Florida counties and can become more territorial during the April-to-June mating season.
FWC said serious alligator attacks are rare, but urged people to keep their distance, avoid swimming outside designated daylight areas and never feed the animals.