Gator attack victim identified
Florida FWC identifies Orlando woman, 31, killed in fatal Seminole County alligator attack
Brittany Clark, a 31-year-old Orlando woman, was killed by an alligator on June 28, 2026, while cooling off in a Florida river with her boyfriend and best friend. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officially identified her on June 30, FWC via WISN reported. She died at a trauma center after suffering catastrophic injuries to both arms.
The attack happened around 1:30 PM in the Econlockhatchee River inside Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County. The water was only about three feet deep. Clark's boyfriend called 911 and said her arms were "off basically" or "hanging by a thread," according to WVTM13.
Two Giant Gators Captured and Euthanized at the Scene
FWC trappers removed two massive alligators from the area following the attack. One measured 13 feet long and was found at the attack site. A second, measuring 12.5 feet, was caught half a mile away. Both were euthanized, WLKY reported. FWC is still investigating which animal — or both — was responsible for Clark's death.
FWC spokesperson Chad Weber confirmed the details at a news conference on June 29. He offered condolences to Clark's family and reminded the public that while serious alligator injuries are rare, every body of water in Florida should be treated as a potential habitat. The risk of a serious unprovoked attack is estimated at 1 in 3.1 million for Florida residents, according to KCCI.
Family Remembers Clark as a Fun-Loving Outdoor Enthusiast
Clark's brother, Nate Clark, spoke publicly after her death. He called the situation "rough" and described his sister as "amazing." Her boyfriend, who witnessed the attack and tried to pull her from the alligator's jaws, said she "didn't deserve to go out in such a way," according to KOCO.
Family members described Clark as a "fun-loving soul" who loved the outdoors and her dog. The group had started their hike that morning at the Barr Street Trailhead. A local hiker reportedly warned them to "be careful" because of high alligator activity in the area, 4029TV reported. Funeral arrangements began on July 1.
Mating Season and Drought Conditions Raised Attack Risk
The attack came at the tail end of alligator mating season, which runs from April through June. During this period, large male alligators become more territorial and aggressive. Gatorland media director Brandon Fisher warned that territorial behavior sharply raises the risk of human-wildlife conflict this time of year, according to WBAL TV.
FWC biologist Dan Navarro noted that alligators are more likely to displace into unexpected areas during and after mating season. Florida's recent drought made things worse. Lower water levels push wildlife into smaller, deeper pockets of water — the same spots hikers often use to cool off, WISN reported. The Econlockhatchee River is a known cooling spot for trail visitors despite posted alligator warning signs.
Florida Saw Three Alligator Attacks in Just Seven Days
Clark's death was not an isolated event. On June 21, a snorkeler was bitten by an alligator in the Rainbow River in Marion County. Six days later, on June 27, a juvenile was bitten on the hand by an 8-foot-7-inch gator at Nelson's Outdoor Resort, also in Marion County, according to WLKY. Three attacks in seven days has put pressure on state officials to review safety rules at state forest trailheads.
Florida has recorded 32 confirmed fatal alligator attacks since 1948 and 500 total unprovoked bites. In 2023, the state logged 23 unprovoked bites — the highest in over a decade. In 2025, there were 13 bites, two of them fatal, KCCI reported. University of Florida research suggests 96% of alligator encounters involve some form of human risk-taking, such as entering water known to hold large predators.
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