A Florida woman, Cynthia Diekema, died after an alligator attacked her during a canoe trip with her husband on Lake Kissimmee on May 6, 2025.
The couple had been canoeing in shallow water near Tiger Creek when an alligator suddenly thrashed, flipping their canoe and throwing them into the lake. Cynthia landed on the alligator, which then attacked and dragged her away. Her husband, Dave Diekema, tried for several minutes to free her but was unable to stop the attack.
Authorities later recovered her body and ruled the death an accident caused by multiple blunt force injuries from the alligator. Officials said the attack did not appear to be predatory, but trappers later captured an 11-foot alligator matching the description of the animal involved.
Following the tragedy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminded residents and visitors to stay alert near bodies of water, supervise children closely, swim only in designated areas during daylight, and fight back if attacked by an alligator.