The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office has released a preliminary report detailing the death of Brittany Clark, a Sacramento native who was killed by an alligator while swimming at Little Big Econ State Forest. The incident occurred on June 28 when Clark was in shoulder-deep water with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and their friend. According to the official documentation shared with local affiliates, Clark’s boyfriend attempted to intervene as the large reptile grabbed her arm and initiated a "death roll," eventually pulling both individuals underwater before releasing them momentarily.
Details of the Attack and Investigation
The medical examiner's report describes how Chance Allison tried to grab the alligator to force it to release Clark. The animal took them both underwater, released her briefly, and then grabbed her other arm. After the attack, Allison brought Clark to shore and called 911. First responders noted that Clark’s pulse was "thready" before she was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Following the incident, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) trappers captured two large alligators measuring 12.5 feet and 13 feet in length. DNA testing confirmed that bite marks on Clark’s arm were consistent with the front row of teeth of one of these gators. The medical examiner requested stomach contents from the animals to further investigate, but noted they had already been buried.
Community Reaction and Safety Guidelines
Friends and family described Clark as an adventurous person who loved nature, motorcycles, skydiving, and scuba diving. Her father, Robert Clark, remembered her as a strong and outgoing individual who worked operating bulldozers. The FWC stated that while alligator attacks are rare in Florida's 67 counties, officials advise the public to never feed or handle wildlife and to swim only in designated areas during daylight hours.
