Woman killed in South Carolina’s first gator-related death

Author: CNN Newssource
Published:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNN) — Authorities in South Carolina are investigating what’s believed to be the first alligator-related death in state history.

The Charleston County coroner says 90-year-old Bonnie Walker likely slipped or fell down an embankment earlier this week, attracting the attention of an alligator. The coroner declared Walker’s death accidental.

State officials say they found and killed the gator believed to be involved.

“I can’t comment specifically what we found in the gator but we do have the correct gator,” said South Carolina Department of Natural Resources official Sam Chappelear. “This is just an unfortunate tragedy. Unfortunately it was ‘wrong place, wrong time.’ The incident happened at night. Gators typically feed at night this time of year because it’s so hot in the day.”

Walker was a resident of a Charleston senior living facility, and her body was found Wednesday in a pond behind the center. A spokesperson for the facility said they’re cooperating with the investigation.

 

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