Woman who was killed at Gator attack while canoe was identified in Florida – NBC 6 Südflorida

Wildlife officials have identified a woman who was killed in an alligator attack while she had canoeed with her husband in central florida.

Cynthia Diekema, 61, from Davenport, was on Tuesday afternoon with her husband near the mouth of the Tiger Creek in the Lake Kissimmee in Polk County when she met a Gator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday.

The husband and the wife had a throat of water in about two feet when they walked over the alligator, who beat the canoe and tilted the canoe.

Both fell into the water and the 11-foot 4-inch gator bit the woman and pulled them among themselves, officers said.

Diekema's body was later found and removed from the water.

A trapper later replied and “sent” the gator, said officials. On Wednesday, a second gator between 10 and 11 feet was found in the area, officials said.

The trapper was in the area to ensure public security.

FWC officers said the incident was still examined.

“This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go to everyone who is affected by this tragedy,” said Roget Young, Executive Director of FWC at a press conference on Wednesday. “We are working hard to understand exactly what happened. While alligator attacks that lead to deaths are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a dark memory of the mighty wild animals that share our natural spaces.”

Young said it was the season for increased Gator activities and encouraged the public to keep away from them.

People with concerns about an alligator should designate the toll-free nuisance alligator hotline of FWC under 866-FWC gator.