The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has humanely killed the alligator responsible for the death of a canoeist, 61-year-old Cynthia Kay Diekema, on May 6, 2025. Along with her husband, Diekema was paddling on Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee State Park when the couple first encountered the 11-foot, four-inch alligator.
The May 2025 alligator attack near Lake Kissimmee State Park
Paddling in about two and a half feet of water, the couple’s canoe passed over the alligator. The alligator thrashed, sending the pair into the water. Diekema landed on top of the alligator and her husband unsuccessfully worked to fight it off.
According to the FWC official report, “The victim was immediately bitten on the torso and efforts by her husband to assist her were unsuccessful. The alligator performed a death roll and swam away with the victim.”
The alligator responsible was identified, shot and killed. Now, Florida Wildlife officials have released new details about the attack.
New details emerge about the fatal alligator encounter
The canoeists had launched their 11-foot canoe around 10 in the morning and observed several alligators around their route according to WESH 2 News. Shortly before passing over the alligator, Diekema warned her husband that they were approaching an alligator. The couple floated over the alligator and it thrashed, sending both Diekema and her husband into the water.
The alligator then clamped on to Diekema’s torso, and investigators shared that Diekema’s husband tried desperately to pry the alligator off her and the alligator let go briefly, then whipped its tail knocking him off his feet. Then, the alligator grabbed Diekema, death rolled and swam away with Diekema in its mouth.
The death roll of an alligator is a spinning maneuver in which the alligator rotates rapidly along its longitudinal axis, using shear forces to dismember large prey according to an article in the National Library of Medicine.
Diekema was later found dead and the alligator was captured and humanely killed. Having dropped his phone in the water, Diekema’s husband was unable to call for help and waited until he was able to hail an airboat operator for assistance.
Alligator attacks in Florida
“There’s only been 31 fatalities since 1948,” Gatorland spokesperson Brandon Fisher told Fox 35 Orlando regarding alligator attack fatalities. “They’re opportunistic feeders. So if it’s easier for them to get their food, ie, a dog on a leash or a cat, they’re gonna go after that.”
Alligator attacks on paddlers are, generally speaking, extremely uncommon in all seasons in Florida. Nonetheless, according to Florida Today mating season for alligators runs through June, and alligators are typically more aggressive April through September.
The FWC recommends the following to minimize chances of incidents with alligators:
- People with concerns about an alligator should call FWCs toll-free
- nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286.
- Keep a safe distance if you seen an alligator
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge
- Swim only in designated swimming areas
- Never feed an alligator
Feature Image: The canoe involved in a deadly alligator attack. Fox 35 Orlando | YouTube
