Overview
- The attack occurred June 28 in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest while Brittany Clark was in waist‑to‑chest‑deep water and her boyfriend tried to pry the alligator off her.
- The District Nine Medical Examiner's autopsy documents near‑complete traumatic amputation of Clark's left arm at the shoulder and near‑complete amputation of the right distal forearm, fractures to the left scapula and clavicle, teeth marks on bone, and rules the death an accident.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife trappers captured and euthanized large alligators near the scene and FWC says DNA testing linked Clark to a roughly 13‑foot alligator that was taken after the attack.
- Investigative steps included bite‑mark comparison and laboratory DNA tests, and earlier reporting raised questions about handling of animal stomach contents requested by the medical examiner.
- Officials note that fatal gator attacks remain rare in Florida but say dry conditions and seasonal behavior can concentrate alligators, so trails near the site stay closed and agencies warn people to swim only in designated areas.