WhatsNew2Day – Latest News And Breaking Headlines
The daughter of a homeless Florida woman who was eaten by a 13-foot alligator has revealed the moment she found out she was dead, after praying it wasn’t her.
Sabrina Peckham, 41, was found in the mouth of an alligator after being dragged by the 13-foot beast into a canal last Friday in Largo, Clearwater.
Several local residents spotted the gruesome sight as the alligator carried Peckham away and began recording the scene while alerting the Largo Fire Department.
Her daughter, Breauna Dorris, has now revealed that when she found out her mother had died, after “praying”, it wasn’t her.
Doris said West2:’ ‘I think she’ll just walk through the door any second, and then you’ll remember. And then it all comes back.
Her daughter Breauna Dorris, pictured here, announced the news of her mother’s death on social media
Several local residents spotted the gruesome sight of Peckham’s death Friday afternoon.
“I’m sure my mother glows knowing that just one person cares about her, let alone thousands of people.”
She continued: “Knowing she was staying 50 feet from where this happened, I prayed ‘I hope it’s not her, I hope it’s not her .
“Later that evening, law enforcement came to my door and told me it was her and she was gone.
According to Dorris, her mother struggled with homelessness and described her as kind and selfless.
Dorris continued, “Many didn’t care about my mother, but knowing that in times like this when we need our community and people come out to show support, donate, pray, send kind words , that’s all I could ask for. .’
Rescuers, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, managed to pull the alligator from the water before putting it down, with officials describing it as having been “humanely killed” following the horrific attack .
Dorris announced the sad news on her social media, writing: “The last 24 hours have been filled with heartbreak, sorrow and unbearable pain for our family.
“My mother, Sabrina Peckham, was the victim of an alligator attack in McCay Creek (Rainbow Village).
The Florida alligator was found with a corpse stuck in its jaws while it was moving down a canal near Clearwater.
Sabrina Peckham (left) pictured with her daughter Breauna Dorris. Peckham, 41, was found in the alligator’s mouth after being dragged by the 13-foot beast into a canal Friday.
“Please understand that we do not have all the information yet as the medical examiners’ report is not yet complete.
“Some details I would like to share are that my mother did not “taunt” the alligator as some say in media comments.
“My mother was part of the homeless population who lived in the nearby wooded area.
“It is believed that she may have been walking to or from her campsite near the creek in the dark and the alligator attacked from the water.”
“We expected to spend many more years with her. Unfortunately, God called her home sooner than our hearts were ready.
Dorris addressed her mother in a heartfelt statement: “To my mother: I love you more than I have ever expressed, I miss you more than you will ever know and I pray that you look high me and your grandchildren.
“Please protect us. I’m really sorry this happened to you. I pray that you will be at peace and no longer struggle or suffer. I pray that you have found mom and dad and are all looking down from above.’
The large reptile held its victim tightly in its powerful jaws as it paddled down the waterway in the small town of Largo.
Rescuers, along with the Florida FWC, were able to remove the alligator from the water and subsequently euthanize it.
Sabrina Peckham has been named as the homeless Florida woman mauled to death and dragged into a waterway by a massive alligator in Largo, Clearwater.
Jennifer Dean, who lived near where the woman was killed, said: “A lot of my neighbors were here and they were the ones who told me about the alligator.
“While we were here we heard a gunshot, I guess they killed the alligator.”
Once the alligator was dead, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office was able to recover the victim’s body from the water.
“I could tell there was a body in his mouth, so I started recording,” JaMarcus Bullard told Bay News 9.
“I came to the firefighters and reported the incident to them,” he said.
Investigators also took time to examine the alligator, which measured 13 feet long.
The deadly reptile is believed to have come from a nearby alligator-infested lake known as Ridgecrest Park.