Deadly Alligator Attack on Lake Kissimmee Claims Life of Florida Woman
Polk County, FL — A 61-year-old woman was killed Tuesday afternoon in a violent alligator attack while canoeing with her husband on Lake Kissimmee, marking one of the rare but sobering fatal wildlife encounters in Florida this year. The incident occurred near the mouth of Tiger Creek, just south of Orlando — the same general location as another gator-related incident reported in March.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that Cynthia Diekema of Davenport, Florida, was fatally bitten after the couple’s canoe passed over a submerged alligator in shallow water. FWC officials stated the attack happened in approximately 2.5 feet of water, when the 14-foot canoe was overturned by the thrashing animal.
“She ended up on top of the alligator in the water and was bitten,” said FWC Major Evan Laskowski at a press conference Wednesday. “Her husband attempted to intervene but was unsuccessful.”
Rescue and recovery efforts were led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office marine unit. Diekema’s body was later recovered from the lake. Her husband’s condition has not been publicly disclosed.
A sheriff’s deputy at the scene was recorded in a dispatch call saying, “Gator grabbed her out of the canoe… He tried to fight the gator off. We’re at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her at.”
FWC nuisance alligator trappers captured two large gators Tuesday night. One measured over 11 feet long and matched the description of the alligator involved in the attack. Another measured between 10 and 11 feet. Officials have not yet confirmed whether either reptile will be euthanized.
This incident marks Florida’s 28th recorded fatal alligator attack since 1948. According to FWC records, 487 unprovoked alligator bites on humans have occurred through 2024, with 339 resulting in major injuries.
Though statistically rare, deadly alligator attacks tend to spike during the spring mating season, when gators are more active and territorial. Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, often inhabiting lakes, marshes, canals, and even residential retention ponds.
“This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Be cautious of your surroundings. Know what wildlife is in the area.”
The Lake Kissimmee attack comes on the heels of another high-profile wildlife fatality — the death of 89-year-old Robert Markel and his dog in a black bear attack Monday in Collier County. FWC officials have killed three bears in the area and are considering holding public hearings on a potential black bear hunt later this year.
In response to rising concerns, the FWC emphasized public safety protocols through its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), which removes alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property. The agency continues to urge residents and visitors to follow critical guidelines:
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Never feed alligators — it’s illegal and causes them to lose natural fear of humans.
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Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge.
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Swim only in designated areas during daylight hours, without pets.
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Maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife.
As Florida enters its warmest months, wildlife experts stress that awareness and caution are essential to avoiding tragic encounters with the state’s native predators.
