CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston County Coroner’s Office released the cause of death for a 90-year-old woman whose body was recovered from a retention pond on July 27.
According to Coroner Rae Wooten, Bonnie Walker died from “multiple sharp and blunt force injuries.” Her death has been ruled accidental.
We’re told her injuries are consistent with those which could be inflicted by an alligator. “Our investigation has confirmed that an alligator was involved in the decedent’s death,” Wooten said. The Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene two hours after Walker was reported missing Wednesday morning. On Friday, DNR pulled an 8-foot alligator from the pond near the Brookdale Senior Living Center where Walker’s body was found by Wednesday afternoon. The details of her autopsy were revealed following a necropsy on the alligator.
We’ve learned there is no indication of an attack, but it is likely that Walker slipped, fell down a steep embankment, and landed in the water, attracting the attention of the alligator.
DNR says they believe Walker’s death is the first alligator related fatality in South Carolina’s history.
