A woman’s lifeless body was discovered in the grasp of a 14-foot alligator. The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Sabrina Peckham, a homeless woman who had a history of run-ins with the law, reports the NY Post. Just two months prior to her untimely death, Peckham was arrested for trespassing on county wetland property.
According to court records, Pinellas County deputies caught Peckham trespassing on July 14, just half a mile from where her body was found. Despite warning signs, she ignored the restrictions and was ultimately charged with a misdemeanor. After pleading no contest, she was released from the county on September 8 and ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Peckham also had convictions for drug possession and theft, reports note. Medical examiners are currently working to determine whether the alligator attack was the cause of her death.
The incident was first reported by a witness on his way to a job interview, who spotted the massive alligator carrying Peckham’s body in a canal along a residential street. He immediately alerted the nearby fire department, who swiftly took action. Authorities made the decision to euthanize the alligator, which measured 13 feet and 8.5 inches in length. Some neighbors claimed that the reptile was shot multiple times after being pulled from the water.
The area where the incident occurred is close to Ridgecrest Park, which is known to be home to alligators. Residents have reported regular sightings of these creatures, but the alligator responsible for Peckham’s death was one of the largest they had ever encountered.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
