Grim new details about death of woman, 31, killed by enormous Florida alligator shared by wildlife officials

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:36, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 17:50, 17 July 2026 An enormous 13-foot alligator is responsible killing a 31-year-old woman who went for a dip during a hike with her boyfriend, Florida wildlife officials confirmed. Brittany Clark died on June 28 after being attacked by the massive reptile in the Little Big Econ State Forest, located just northeast of Orlando. Authorities captured and killed two alligators, one measuring 12.5ft and another that was 13ft, that were found near the site of the attack. DNA testing has now confirmed that she was killed by the larger gator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials have now revealed. The local coroner also determined that the bite marks on Clark's arm were consistent with the front row of the 13ft alligator's teeth, the FWC told WOFL.  Officials say they are not speculating as to what prompted the attack, but note that alligators are often territorial during mating season, which runs from April to June. Clark was attacked while on a hike with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, their friends and her dogs. The group had stopped for a quick swim in the Econlockhatchee River.  She was standing in just three feet of water when the gator lunged and grabbed Clark's arm, then took her into a death roll, which is a gator behavior where the reptiles latch onto prey and violently spin in the water. Brittany Clark, 31, died on June 28 after being attacked by an enormous 13-foot alligator during a hike in the Little Big Econ State Forest, located just northeast of Orlando Her boyfriend Chance Allison tried to save her by wrestling the reptile away, but he was also pulled into the water Allison tried to save her by wrestling the reptile away, but he was also pulled into the water. The gator briefly let go of Clark but then bit her other arm.  He continued trying to get his girlfriend out of the water and was eventually successful. The alligator retreated, but by that point, Clark had suffered severe injuries. The medical examiner's report said that she had a partially severed left arm and open fracture on her right arm, which had been caused by the death roll. Allison and Clark's best friend managed to pull her to shore. Their friends had already called 911.  First responders detected a light pulse and rushed her to a hospital, but she died on the way, according to the FWC.   Clark was officially pronounced dead at the hospital at 2.48pm. Frantic 911 calls placed by the couple's friends paint a harrowing picture of the alligator attack. 'Bad, real bad please, hurry... she's losing a lot of... please hurry...' one caller could be heard saying. The alligator grabbed Clark and took her into a death roll, which caused severe injuries. A responding officer's body camera shows him preparing what appears to be a tourniquet while Allison seems to be tending to Clark under the tent An officer reaches into his medical kit to get a tourniquet as first responders attempted to save Clark's life 'How bad is the bite?' the dispatcher asked at one point.  'Horrible,' the caller replied before describing the injuries. 'Both her arms are dislocated... off basically... one arm is completely off,' the caller said. Allison posted a tribute to his girlfriend on Facebook a few days after she died that said: 'I'm just still in disbelief of what took place. We had so many things planned out and memories to be made.' 'You were such a special person and did not deserve to go out in such a way. I love you and don't worry about shady and hokie I'll take care of them forever,' he added, referring to his late partner's dogs.  Clark's death was the third reported alligator fatality in Florida over a seven-day period. Two of the deaths occurred within 24 hours in Central Florida.  Alligator attack fatalities are rare, which FWC data showing that Florida only recorded two fatal attacks last year.  The state recorded two fatalities in 2023 and just one in 2022, 2019, 2018 and 2016. Clark's boyfriend posted a tribute to her a few days after she died promising to take care of her dogs, one of which she is pictured with The FWC dispatches trappers to kill any of the animals that attack people and are deemed particularly dangerous to humans, pets or property. The agency, however, has urged Floridians and tourists alike to only swim in designated areas, and keep their pets leashed and away from the water. They also remind civilians to never food or handle alligators and to maintain a safe distance from the reptiles.