Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies recovered the body of a Florida woman who was found dead in a pond known for its alligator population.
On Sunday evening, deputies were called to a pond outside the Landing Bar and Grill in Valrico, a town 20 miles east of Tampa. With the help of an underwater recovery team, the body was pulled out of the water.
While the cause of the woman’s death remains under investigation, officials said that the woman’s body “did appear to suffer injuries consistent with an alligator attack.”
The 29-year-old unnamed woman frequented the pond and would often swim in it, family members said to WFLA. They added that they are “in grief” over her death.
“What a tragic ending to the 4th of July holiday for this woman’s family and friends,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release. “I want to thank our local partners for their cooperation with this investigation as we work to learn what led up to her death.”
In addition to an investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is assisting with the investigation. Officials also asked area alligator trappers to help as well, the release added.
