Killer 14-foot alligator found with body of missing mum still in its stomach


Newly released body camera footage shows the shocking moment a 14-foot-long bloated alligator is captured - with the body of a 41-year-old mum inside.

The video from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows those first on the scene arrive at a canal in Largo, Florida. Sensing it is a threat, they quickly shoot the creature dead with a rifle.

"Watch them, watch them," a voice can be heard shouting before the trigger is pulled with a bang. Local Jamarcus Bullard was the first to come across the gruesome scene, alerting 911 when he saw a gator with what he believed were body parts in its mouth.

"I noticed it had a body in its mouth, like a lower torso, so once I saw that, I ran straight to the fire department and got them. They confirmed it was a body," Bullard said.

Sabrina Peckham, 41, an unhoused woman who had been staying at a makeshift campsite less than 50 feet away from the canal in Pinellas County, was later identified as the victim. Her family had last seen her the day before the fatal encounter in September, 2023.

Officials later cut open the gator - which measured 13 feet and 9.5 inches - to find Peckham's body parts inside.

After her mum's death, the dead woman's daughter came out to deny that her mother had been taunting the animal. Breauana Dorris wrote in a Facebook post: "My mother was a part of the homeless population living in the nearby wooded area.

Sabrina's daughter, Breauana Dorris, spoke about her late mother
Sabrina's daughter, Breauana Dorris, spoke about her late mum. -Credit:Facebook
Sabrina Peckham's body was found inside the alligator.
Sabrina Peckham's body was found inside the alligator. -Credit:Facebook

"It is believed 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 have many, many more years with her. Unfortunately, God has called her home sooner than our hearts were ready."

Last week a relaxing airboat trip along the Florida Everglades turned into a nightmare after the vessel capsized, flinging every passenger into alligator infested waters. The incident occured when the driver of the boat reportedly took a sharp turn while attempting to view one of the deadly reptiles.

The alligator was seen with body parts in its mouth.
The alligator was seen with body parts in its mouth. -Credit:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it had been called out to the waterway near Coopertown The Original Airboat Tour, south of the Tamiami Trail and about five miles west of Krome Avenue.

Nine people on board the tour along with the operator all fell into the water when the boat turned quickly.

According to passengers, the boat operator was trying to get a closer look at the deadly reptiles when the incident happened

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