Medical examiner reports ‘death roll’ by alligator in deadly Florida attack
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office has shared its preliminary report into the death of Brittany Clark.
Clark was attacked and killed by an alligator while swimming at the Little Big Econ State Forest. She was swimming with her boyfriend and their friend.
Two alligators were captured and killed after the attack. Bite marks matched one of them, the report said.
A woman killed in an alligator attack outside of Orlando, Fla. last month has ties to Northern California.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida has released its preliminary report into the death of Brittany Clark, the woman who was attacked and killed on June 28 by a large alligator at Florida’s Little Big Econ State Forest.
Clark was a Sacramento native and graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, KCRA-TV reported.
What we know:
According to the medical examiner’s report, Clark, her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and their friend were swimming in shoulder-deep water when the massive alligator “grabbed (Brittany) by her arm and began the “death roll.'”
“Chance grabbed the alligator trying to get it to release (Brittany)…when it took them both underwater releasing (Brittany) for a moment and then grabbing her other arm,” the report said.
Once the alligator let go, Chance brought Brittany to shore and called 911, the report said. First responders said Clark’s pulse was described as “thready.” She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, officials said.
An alligator’s “death roll” is where it latches on to potential prey and violently spins in the water to subdue or dismember it, according to the National Institute of Health.
Report: Alligator bite marks are a match
What we know:
After the attack, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation trappers captured and killed two huge alligators – a 12.5-foot gator and a 13-foot gator – and sent their DNA to a lab to determine if either was the one that killed Clark.
According to the medical examiner’s report, bite marks found on Clark’s arm were consistent with the front row of teeth of one of the alligators. The medical examiner requested the “stomach contents” from the alligators. However, it had already been buried, the report said.
Brittany Clark remembered by family, friends, boyfriend
According to family and friends who talked with KTVU’s Orlando affiliate FOX 35, Brittany Clark loved people, nature, being outside, and tackling every adventure in life.
“She loved riding motorcycles, skydiving, scuba diving, playing in the water, hiking with her dogs, hiking with her friends, and seeing new places,” said Robert Clark, Brittany’s dad.
“She was the strongest and most outgoing person I’ve ever met in my 30 years of life. She loved her job where she operated a bulldozer running a dirt crew. And loved going out on the water every chance she could, her boyfriend, Chance, told FOX 35 in a statement.
FWC: Alligator attacks are rare, but gators can be found throughout Florida
The FWC said alligator attacks are considered to be rare, but not impossible. Gators can be found in nearly any body of water – lakes, rivers, ponds – throughout Florida’s 67 counties.
Officials did not want to speculate about what may have caused the alligator to attack. However, they did mention that alligators can become territorial during mating season, which typically runs from April to June.
Living with alligators in Florida
Here are some tips from Florida wildlife officials:
Never feed an alligatorNever handle an alligatorKeep your distance if you see oneSwim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hoursKeep pets leashed and away from water Deadly alligator attacks in Florida
State wildlife officials track reported alligator bites each year including the severity of injuries: minor, major, and deadly. The data was last updated in February 2026, per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
Here is a look at the last 10 years:
2025: 2 deaths; 8 major incidents, 5 minor incidents2024: 0 deaths, 9 major incidents, 2 minor incidents2023: 2 deaths, 18 major incidents, 5 minor incidents2022: 2 deaths, 9 major incidents, 2 minor incidents2021: 0 deaths, 7 major incidents, 2 minor incidents2020: 0 deaths, 8 major incidents, 4 minor incidents2019: 1 death, 5 major incidents, 5 minor incidents2018: 1 death, 9 major incidents, 1 minor incident2017: 0 deaths, 10 major incidents, 2 minor incidents2016: 1 death, 8 major incidents, 0 minor incidents2015: 1 death, 9 major incidents, 0 minor incidents
The Source: The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office shared its preliminary report into Brittany Clark’s death with FOX 35 on Monday, July 6, following a public records request. Additional information from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, KCRA-TV and the FWC’s website.