Officials confirm 13-foot alligator killed Florida woman as new details reveal boyfriend’s desperate rescue attempt
Florida wildlife officials have confirmed that a 13-foot alligator was responsible for the death of a 31-year-old woman who was attacked while swimming during a hike near Orlando.
Brittany Clark died on June 28 in Little Big Econ State Forest, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The attack happened in the Econlockhatchee River, where Clark had stopped to swim with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, friends, and her dogs.
Investigators captured two alligators near the scene, measuring 12.5 feet and 13 feet. DNA testing later confirmed that the larger reptile was the one involved in the fatal attack.
According to officials, Clark was standing in about three feet of water when the alligator suddenly lunged and grabbed her arm. The animal then pulled her into a “death roll,” a violent spinning motion that alligators use to overpower prey.
Allison immediately jumped in and tried to pull the reptile away from Clark. During the struggle, he was dragged into the water as well. Authorities said the alligator briefly released Clark, but then bit her other arm. Allison continued fighting and was eventually able to free her, causing the animal to retreat.
The medical examiner’s report, cited by local outlet WOFL, said Clark suffered catastrophic injuries, including a partially severed left arm and a severe fracture to her right arm.
Allison and Clark’s best friend pulled her back to shore while others called 911. Emergency recordings captured the panic of the moment.
“Bad, real bad, please hurry… she’s losing a lot of blood,” one caller said. When asked how serious the injuries were, the caller replied, “Horrible.”
First responders found a faint pulse and rushed Clark to a hospital, but she died before arriving. Officials said she was pronounced dead at 2:48 p.m.
After her death, Allison posted an emotional tribute on Facebook.
“I’m still in disbelief of what took place,” he wrote. “We had so many things planned out and memories to be made.”
He also promised to care for Clark’s dogs, writing, “I love you, and don’t worry about Shady and Hokie. I’ll take care of them forever.”
Wildlife officials have not said what triggered the attack, but noted that alligators can become more territorial during mating season, which typically runs from April through June.
Clark’s death was the third fatal alligator attack reported in Florida within a single week, and two of those deaths happened within 24 hours of each other in Central Florida.
Despite the recent incidents, fatal alligator attacks remain uncommon. FWC records show two fatalities in Florida in 2025, two in 2023, and one each in 2022, 2019, 2018, and 2016.
The agency is reminding residents and visitors to swim only in designated areas, keep pets on a leash and away from the water, never feed or approach alligators, and always maintain a safe distance from the animals.
