Latest news with #LakeKissimmee
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Husband Tried to Save His Wife After Alligator Attack. Instead Animal ‘Swam Away with the Victim': Report
The alligator that fatally attacked a woman who was canoeing in Florida with her husband last month "performed a death roll," according to a new report The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to an alligator encounter in Polk County on May 6, before a 61-year-old woman was "later found deceased and recovered from the water" "The victim was immediately bitten on the torso," according to a newly released FWC report obtained by local outlet WESHA bull alligator in Florida bit a woman in the torso before it "performed a death roll" during last month's fatal attack off Lake Kissimmee, according to a new report. On May 6, around 4:02 p.m. local time, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to an alligator encounter near the mouth of Tiger Creek in Polk County. The woman, who has since been identified as 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema, was canoeing with her husband when they encountered the reptile and both fell into the water, the FWC later shared. The 11-foot, 4-inch alligator then bit Diekema and pulled her into the water before she was "later found deceased." According to NBC affiliate WESH, which recently obtained a new report from officials, the alligator was "submerged in approximately 2.5 feet of water" and thrashed when the canoe passed over it, causing the couple to fall in the water. "The victim was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful," officials wrote, per WESH. "The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim." The Polk County Sheriff's Office and FWC officials responded to the scene, along with a "contracted nuisance alligator trapper," who removed the reptile from the water, according to the FWC. A spokesperson for the FWC directed PEOPLE to submit a public records request to obtain the incident report. According to WESH, the incident remains under investigation. "The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time," the agency said in a statement last month. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. During a previous news conference, FWC Major Evan Laskowski confirmed that Diekema — from Davenport — "ended up on top of the alligator in the water" as her husband "attempted to intervene" but was unsuccessful. The FWC encourages Floridians to follow "precautionary measures" near alligators, including keeping a safe distance, keeping pets on a leash, swimming in "designated swimming areas during daylight hours" and not feeding them. According to statistics from the agency, the state recorded 487 unprovoked alligator bites on humans — 27 of which resulted in fatalities — from 1948 to 2024. Diekema was from Paw Paw, Mich., and is survived by her husband Dave, two children and two grandchildren, per her obituary. "She radiated her inner and outer beauty in all she did and had unconditional love for everyone," the obituary read. "She cherished her family and every moment and adventure they spent together." Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Horrifying new details reveal how vicious alligator 'death rolled' grandma while her helpless husband watched
A harrowing new report has detailed how a massive alligator lunged from beneath the water and fatally attacked a canoeist near Lake Kissimmee State Park. The victim, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema, had been canoeing with her husband in shallow water when the predator struck in May. Officials revealed the couple's 14-foot canoe was gliding through just two feet of water when the gator struck - causing Cynthia to fall directly on top of the beast, triggering the fatal attack. Her brave husband, Dave Diekema, tried to fight the alligator off, but was unable to save his beloved wife - and he was forced to watch it make off with her lifeless body. New details revealed that Cynthia's torso was ravaged by the beast - before it performed a death roll and swam away with the grandma lodged in its vicious teeth. A 'death roll' is a hunting technique employed by alligators to subdue and dismember their helpless prey. Feeding alligators is illegal and strongly advised against by the FWC which warns the practice can lead to gators losing their natural reticence and becoming a nuisance. Emergency responders rushed to the scene around 4 p.m. and found Cynthia's body floating in the water. She was recovered and pronounced dead at the scene. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wrote in its chilling report: 'The victim was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful. The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim.' A police radio call captured the horror of the moment: 'Gator grabbed her out of the canoe,' an officer relayed. '[Her husband] tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her.' In the wake of Cynthia's death, multiple alligators have been trapped in the area. Officials plan to examine the stomach contents of each animal to determine which one was responsible. FWC statistics show this is one of only two 'major' alligator bites reported so far this year - and the only fatal one. In 2023, there were 23 reported bites, including two fatalities. The tragedy has prompted FWC to launch GatorWise, a new campaign to educate Floridians about gator safety and reduce human-wildlife conflict. 'Because alligators can be found in nearly any water in Florida, it's safest to always assume they're present,' said FWC's Matthew Nichols. 'GatorWise provides science-based information… to help people safely share the landscape with these important animals.' Cynthia's final Instagram post, a collage of smiling vacation photos with her husband, has now become a memorial, filled with emotional tributes. 'You seemed like a genuine, beautiful soul. How lucky you were to live such a fun and rich life for decades, but how terrible it is to lose it in such a way,' wrote one follower. 'Even more terrible that you were so loved, so cherish that your death will affect so many of those around you. May God watch over your family, may you find the peace that you deserve, and may the memory of your light never dim.' Another commented: 'So sad. Thoughts and prayers for your girls and granddaughter. I was always terrified of them when we lived down there.' Under Florida's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, trappers respond to reports of gators posing a danger to people or pets. FWC advises residents to avoid feeding gators, keep pets on leashes, and never swim outside designated areas, especially at night. A woman has been killed by an alligator while canoeing with her husband on a Florida lake Though fatal gator attacks are rare, this was the second incident at Lake Kissimmee in just two months. In March, a woman was bitten on the elbow by an alligator in the same area - raising alarms among locals. The FWC has advice for alligator safety which recommends keeping a safe distance if one is spotted. Swimmers should keep to designated areas and avoid swimming at night or with pets, which should also be kept on a leash and away from the water's edge. Feeding alligators is illegal and strongly advised against by the FWC which warns the practice can lead to gators losing their natural reticence and becoming a nuisance.
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Fox News
Alligator mauls woman canoeing as Florida urges vacationers to avoid disaster with safety tips
Florida wildlife authorities have released a new report on a vicious May alligator attack that took the life of a Michigan woman. Cynthia Diekema, 61, was killed while canoeing with her husband near Lake Kissimmee State Park when they unknowingly approached an 11-foot, four-inch alligator lurking beneath the surface, a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says, according to KETV. FWC said that the alligator thrashed underneath the canoe, causing the pair to be thrown into the water. "The victim was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful," according to the report. "The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim." FWC alligator trappers later caught the alligator. Amid the release of the report, FWC announced a new partnership with GatorWise, described as "a new public awareness campaign that aims to promote realistic public perceptions about alligators and assist the public in taking appropriate actions to minimize conflict," in order to help Floridians navigate the waters during the summer, when alligator attacks become more common. "Florida has seen tremendous population growth in recent years, with many people living or recreating near water," Matthew Nichols, FWC alligator management program coordinator, said of the partnership. "Because alligators can be found in nearly any water in Florida, it's safest to always assume they're present. GatorWise provides consistent, science-based information from across the Southeast to help people safely share the landscape with these important animals." According to the wildlife authority, there are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida. FWC's 2025 statistics show that there have been two "major" alligator bites through May, one of them being fatal. There have been no "minor" bites this year. Last year, there were a total of 11 bites, nine considered major and two minor, with no fatalities. In 2023, there were 23 alligator bites, 18 major and five minor, with two fatalities. The GatorWise website provides basic instructions, like assuming alligators are present when near the water, not feeding alligators, not disposing of fish or food scraps in the water, not attempting to pick up an alligator, and ensuring pets aren't wandering shorelines off-leash. "Alligators are native to many wetlands of the southeastern United States, making them critical to the health and balance of these ecosystems," the site says. "Minimizing conflicts with people while maintaining necessary protections from overharvest is crucial to keeping alligator populations stable within their range." "To do that we must Educate people about alligators, while increasing Respect for these animals and their natural behaviors, which will allow for alligators and humans to Coexist." Fox News Digital reached out to FWC.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
New details on fatal alligator attack: Gator slammed canoe, grabbed woman
New information is being released about a gruesome alligator attack in Florida last month that left a woman dead. A massive alligator knocked over a canoe with a married couple aboard, killing the wife after snatching her and dragging her under fresh water in Central Florida, state officials said. The attack took place near the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee in Polk County. "An 11-foot, 4-inch alligator bit the woman and pulled her underwater," Hailee Seely, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) southwest region, told USA TODAY June 26. The May 6 attack killed Cynthia Diekema, 61, of Polk County and part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area. Here's what officials said took place the day of the attack including information from a newly obtained preliminary report. Single lighting bolt hits 20 people: Nearly 2 dozen struck by 1 bolt at South Carolina beach Just after 4 p.m. local time on May 6, FWC officers and Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a reported alligator incident involving people in the creek. Investigators said a preliminary investigation found the victim was canoeing with her husband when they "encountered an alligator causing both individuals to fall into the water." The wife "was immediately bitten on the torso, and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful," according to a preliminary FWC report obtained by KETV. USA TODAY has requested the report. "The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim," according to Seely who said the wife's body was later found and recovered. A state-contracted nuisance alligator trapper arrived, captured the alligator responsible for the attack and it was 'dispatched,' officials said, meaning it was killed The attack remained under investigation on June 26, officials said. Cynthia Diekeman is from Davenport, officials said. The city, also in Polk County, is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area. "She radiated her inner and outer beauty in all she did and had unconditional love for everyone," her obituary reads. "She cherished her family and every moment and adventure they spent together." She leaves behind Dave, her husband of 41 years; her children, Jessica (Matt) Henry, and Megan (Casey) Straka; 2 grandchildren, Elena and Jack Henry. To reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators, the FWC recommends the following precautionary measures near the reptiles in or near water. Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge. Pets often resemble alligators' natural prey. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. If you swim, do so in designated areas during daylight hours. Do not swim with your pet. Do not feed an alligator. It's illegal and dangerous. People with concerns about an alligator are asked to call the FWC at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Contributing: Lakeland Ledger, The Daytona Beach News-Journal Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alligator kills woman in canoe, swims away with body in Florida
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Utterly terrifying final moments of woman knocked out of canoe and killed by alligator in front of her husband
The terrifying final moments of a Florida grandmother who was knocked out of a canoe and mauled to death by an 11-foot-long alligator as her husband watched in horror have been revealed. Cynthia Diekema, of Davenport, Florida, was enjoying a day on Lake Kissimmee with her husband Dave Diekema on Tuesday when the couple paddled over an alligator in shallow water. Wildlife officials revealed the couple's 14-foot canoe was in just two feet of water when the alligator suddenly thrashed beneath them. The alligator caused the couple's canoe to flip, pulling them both into the water as the grandmother fell directly on top of the beast. This triggered the reptile to fatally attack the woman, while her horrified husband desperately attempted to save his wife. Emergency services were called to the scene at around 4pm and spotted the victim floating in the water. She was recovered from the lake and pronounced dead at the scene, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said. A radio call obtained by WKMG detailed her husband's desperate struggle to save his wife. A woman has been killed by an alligator while canoeing with her husband on a Florida lake 'Gator grabbed her out of the canoe,' the officer said. '[Her husband] tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her.' Although a fatal alligator attack is a highly rare occurrence, this was the second alligator attack at the same lake within two months - raising concerns among locals. Now, multiple alligators linked to the attack have been captured by trappers, but authorities must determine which reptile was responsible for the woman's death. Officials revealed they will examine the stomach contents of the captured alligators as part of their investigation, according to WFTV. Dikema's latest Instagram post - a collage of recent happy photos alongside her husband - has been filled with emotional tributes and condolences in the comments. Beneath images of the couple's recent vacation, showing them smiling and enjoying life together, mourners have left messages expressing their shock and grief. 'You seemed like a genuine, beautiful soul. How lucky you were to live such a fun and rich life for decades, but how terrible it is to lose it in such a way,' wrote one follower. 'Even more terrible that you were so loved, so cherish that your death will affect so many of those around you. May God watch over your family, may you find the peace that you deserve, and may the memory of your light never dim.' Another commented: 'So sad. Thoughts and prayers for your girls and granddaughter. I was always terrified of them when we lived down there.' Nearby camper Taylor Stokes, who has lived in the area for over 40 years, expressed his condolences while acknowledging the risk of the gators, saying he even 'looks twice' before stepping into his bathtub. 'I've been living here 40-something years, and everyone knows you don't get in no pond, no lake, no nothing. I look twice before stepping in the bathtub,' Stokes said to WESH 2. 'My heart goes out to the family. Tragic accident.' A nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to the area in accordance with the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) which deals with alligators which are deemed a danger to people, animals or property. It comes just months after another alligator attacked another woman in the same area near Lake Kissmimee. On March 3 a woman was left with injuries after she was bitten on the elbow. The FWC has advice for alligator safety which recommends keeping a safe distance if one is spotted. Swimmers should keep to designated areas and avoid swimming at night or with pets, which should also be kept on a leash and away from the water's edge. Feeding alligators is illegal and strongly advised against by the FWC which warns the practice can lead to gators losing their natural reticence and becoming a nuisance.
