Family of elderly woman killed by alligator attack sues community in Florida

The family of Gloria Serge, an 85-year-old woman who wasvictim of a fatal alligator attack in Fort Pierce, Florida, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the community ofSpanish Lakes Fairways.

The announcement was made by the family's attorneys on Thursday. They recalled that the attack occurred on February 20, 2023 when Gloria was walking her dog near the retention pond behind her house and was surprised by a 10-foot-long alligator.

Bill Serge, the victim's son, expressed his deep pain and agony that his mother had to face in her last moments of life.

“My mother, who was 85 years old and couldn't swim, was grabbed by a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator and dragged into the water where she drowned in the most violent and terrifying way possible,” he said.

Bill Serge's story was full of pain. The attorneys noted that the presence of the alligator, nicknamed "Henry" by some community residents and staff, was known to everyone.

Some residents and community workers fed the animal chicken and other products. In addition, the lawyers highlighted the existence of benches near the water, which they consider an invitation to danger.

Gloria avoided walking her dog in that area but days before the attack the community administrators sent her a violation letter for walking her pet in her own yard.

That administrative measure was what allegedly forced the elderly woman to walk with her dog near the pond.

On the day of the attack, a neighbor of the community witnessed Gloria being grabbed by the foot and dragged underwater by the alligator. Despite desperate attempts to help and calling 911, no one was able to rescue Gloria from the reptile that was holding her.

Gloria Serge's body was recovered and a professional reptile hunter managed to capture the alligator.

The community of Spanish Lakes, after the fatal event, announced that they would install warning signs about the alligators in the area, a measure described by lawyers and family members as insufficient and late.

Gary Lesser, a lawyer representing the family, emphasized the community's full responsibility for the tragedy and stated that the goal of the lawsuit is to prevent similar incidents from being repeated.

"No one should ever experience what my mother had to endure that day and no child should have to bury their mother for something like that," said Bill Serge, marked by the pain of an avoidable loss.