ORLANDO, Fla. — Family and friends of Dawn Brancheau say the whale trainer died doing what she loved. She worked at SeaWorld for 16 years and was considered one of the best trainers in the park.
VIDEO REPORT: Trainer Was Passionate About Job
Brancheau's family said her passion for whales started when she was young, and working at SeaWorld as a whale trainer was her lifelong dream.
"It's one small, but really big way that we're trying to make an impact," said Dawn Brancheau in a 2008 interview with CNN, speaking about environmentally friendly buses in operation at SeaWorld.
But the 40-year-old's number one passion was training killer whales. Brancheau's sister said she told their mother at just 9-years-old that she wanted to train the mammals after the family visited SeaWorld.
"She did not have children. The whales were her children," said Diane Gross, Dawn Brancheau's sister.
SeaWorld officials say the massive killer whale Tilikum came to the surface and pulled Brancheau underwater.
Brancheau had 16 years experience as a trainer and was considered one of the best at the park.
A former employee sent Eyewitness News pictures of Brancheau playing with Tilikum's offspring. ( see pictures )
She loved the whales and water so much that she owned a home on Live Oak Lake in St. Cloud where sheriff's deputies blocked the entrance on Wednesday.
"I'm sorry for her family about what happened today," said Rachel Rivenbark, neighbor.
Eyewitness News found a Facebook page that was just created in Brancheau's memory. In less than one day there were nearly 400 members already.
Eyewitness News asked SeaWorld how much money trainers earn and how much education is required for the job. A park spokesperson would only say they have years and years of training before they can get close to the killer whales.
Previous Stories: February 25, 2010: Whale Pulls Trainer Off Platform By Hair In Fatal Attack February 25, 2010: SeaWorld Guests React Day After Whale Attack February 25, 2010: Autopsy Reveals Details On SeaWorld Trainer's Death February 25, 2010: Trainer Killed At SeaWorld Loved Killer Whales February 24, 2010: Whale Kills Female Trainer At SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium