SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A newly released Medical Examiner’s report is providing more details about the fatal alligator attack that claimed the life of a 31-year-old woman in Seminole County.
According to the report, Brittany Clark was swimming in shoulder deep water in the Econlockhatchee River when an alligator bit her arm and initiated what is known as a “death roll.”
The report says Clark’s boyfriend, Chance Allison, grabbed the alligator in an attempt to save her.
During the struggle, the alligator pulled both Clark and Allison underwater before biting Clark on her other arm.
Investigators say the alligator eventually released Clark, allowing Allison to bring her to shore, where he immediately began CPR.
Clark was transported to the hospital but did not survive.
“The power of these animals is too much,” said conservation biologist Joe Wasilewski, “The bite force could be as much as 2,000 pounds per square inch.”
Wasilewski has worked with gators for more than 40 years with Natural Selections of South Florida, an Environmental consulting and wildlife firm. He said it’s extremely difficult for even experienced trappers to stop a death roll, telling Channel 9 it often requires multiple people tackling a gator.
He urged people to use caution before entering any body of water in Florida, especially if the water is murky, since alligators rely on stealth when attacking.
He also advised people to keep their dogs away from the water’s edge and warned against the misconception that shallow water is safe.
“They’re ambush predators and three feet, or thirty feet doesn’t make a difference because they can’t be seen,” said Wasilewski.
Wasilewski said even as an alligator biologist, he avoids swimming anywhere other than Florida’s beaches or in a pool. “I wouldn’t swim in a river. I might jump in, but I’m jumping right back out.”
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) data, as of February 2026, there were 500 documented gator attacks since 1948. Per the state data, 32 cases were fatal before Clark’s death on June 28th.
Following the attack on Clark, FWC captured and euthanized two alligators from the area, one measuring 12 and a half feet and the other was 13 feet long.
According to the Medical Examiner’s report, investigators believe they captured the alligator responsible for the attack.
The report states that a row of teeth on one of the alligator’s jaws was consistent with the bite marks found on Clark’s body.
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Per FWC, Florida is home to more than 1.3 million gators across all 67 Florida counties.
“They could be in any body of water,” said Wasilewski, “Stay the hell out of the water. That’s the best advice I could give you.”
Channel 9 reached out to FWC Monday, the agency said its investigation into the attack remains active.
Meanwhile, the Barr Street Trailhead remains closed and will stay closed until further notice.
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