By In a shocking and tragic incident, bodycam footage from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed the gruesome aftermath of a deadly alligator attack that claimed the life of 41-year-old Sabrina Peckham. The footage shows a bloated 14ft alligator with Peckham’s body visibly inside its stomach after it was shot and killed by authorities.
Peckham, who was homeless had been staying at an encampment near the canal in Clearwater, Florida, where the alligator was located. The attack occurred in September of last year when a passerby spotted the reptile with what appeared to be a body in its mouth, raising the alarm.
The newly released bodycam footage captures the moment the alligator was gunned down, with a voice shouting, “Watch them, watch them,” before a trigger is pulled, followed by a bang and a splash. Emergency responders and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then worked to pull the alligator from the water, taping its mouth shut and using ropes and chains to remove it from the canal.
To retrieve Peckham’s remains, officers had to slash open the side of the alligator’s belly. The animal was described as having been “humanely killed” following the horrific attack.
Peckham’s daughter, Breauana Dorris, took to Facebook to deny rumors that her mother had been taunting the alligator. She explained that her mother was likely walking to or from her campsite near the creek in the dark when the alligator attacked from the water. “We expected to have many many more years with her. Unfortunately, God has called her home sooner than our hearts were ready,” Dorris wrote.
Records show that Peckham had a history of trespassing and run-ins with the police, including an arrest just two months before she died for trespassing on a county wetland half a mile from the site of the attack. Despite her past, Dorris emphasized that “no matter how you put it, no one deserves to die like this.”
The deadly reptile is believed to have come from a nearby alligator-infested lake known as Ridgecrest Park. The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife, particularly for vulnerable populations living near their habitats.
As the community mourns the loss of Sabrina Peckham, her daughter’s heartfelt message resonates: “I love you more than I ever expressed, I miss you more than you’ll ever know and I pray that you are looking down over me and your grandchildren. Please protect us. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
Credit: Dailymail.com
