Florida Hiker's Fatal Alligator Attack Left Her Arms Nearly Torn Off, Autopsy Reveals — With Bite Marks Found on Her Bones
Newly released autopsy findings have revealed the devastating injuries suffered by a Florida woman who was fatally attacked by a 13-foot alligator during a hike last month, offering the clearest picture yet of the terrifying encounter that unfolded in a Central Florida state forest.
Brittany Clark, 31, died after being mauled while visiting Little Big Econ State Forest on June 28 with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and her roommate. What began as a peaceful afternoon quickly turned into a desperate fight for survival when the massive reptile suddenly emerged from the water.
According to an autopsy report completed by Associate Medical Examiner Jenaye L. Mack and released Thursday, Clark died from “multiple blunt force injuries of the upper extremities.” Her death was ruled an accident.
The report describes catastrophic trauma caused during the attack, stating that Clark suffered a near-complete traumatic amputation of her left arm at the shoulder, along with a near-complete traumatic amputation of her right forearm.
Medical examiners also documented bite impressions on several bones, including her left clavicle, left shoulder blade, and upper left arm, underscoring the tremendous force of the alligator’s bite.
Investigators later confirmed through DNA testing that a 13-foot alligator captured and euthanized near the scene was responsible for the fatal attack.
Allison has previously described the horrifying moments when the alligator appeared without warning while the group stood in shallow water trying to cool off.
“We were smiling and talking, and then it was complete chaos,” he recalled.
The 30-year-old said he desperately fought to pull Clark from the reptile’s jaws as it violently dragged her beneath the water, but despite his efforts, he could not free her.
Even in her final moments, Allison said Clark’s thoughts remained with those she loved.
While they waited for emergency crews to arrive, Clark reportedly asked him to make sure someone cared for her beloved German Shepherd, Hokie.
“It was one of the last things she said to me,” Allison previously told reporters.
Clark was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be saved.
Her roommate, Jayden Hernandez, later shared that the group had been standing in about three feet of murky water and had even joked moments earlier about the possibility of an alligator being nearby.
She said she would “never forget every detail” of the horrific scene she witnessed.
Clark’s father, retired U.S. Navy veteran Robert Clark, also recalled receiving a devastating phone call from Hernandez while his daughter was still alive.
“They were trying to keep her alive and waiting for the authorities to show up,” he previously said.
The tragedy has renewed attention on the dangers posed by large alligators in Florida’s waterways, particularly during the warmer months when reptiles are more active.
While officials stress that fatal alligator attacks remain extremely rare, the newly released autopsy provides a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine outing can become a life-threatening emergency.