Body of missing Texas woman found in mouth of alligator that was still eating her

The body of a missing Texas woman was found in the mouth of an alligator while it was still eating her remains.

The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was found dead along the shores of Horsepen Bayou in Clear Lake around 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, less than 12 hours after she went missing.

Houston police officers were searching the area for the missing woman when they discovered an alligator chewing on her body.

A police officer shot the animal to prevent it from causing further damage to the remains, the department's homicide division confirmed. A team of divers then recovered the body and alligator from the bayou.

Police have not yet released the identity of the victim and say the cause of death will be determined following an autopsy.

The victim's husband reported her missing early Tuesday morning after last seeing her while she was going for a walk Monday around 7:30 p.m. She never returned home.

His body was found in the alligator's mouth near Coastal Oak Drive, not far from his Brook Forest Drive home, KHOU-11 reported.

It is not yet known whether the victim was killed by the alligator.

Photographs taken by a Clear Lake resident show how at least a dozen response officers were called to the bayou. Witnesses say police spent hours at the scene.

Texas game wardens have assisted in recovery efforts, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division.

Angela Derous, who was fishing in the bayou Tuesday evening, told ABC 13 that alligators reside in the water.

“They live there. We see babies 8 feet, 10 feet. I know which banks to stay away from and where they like to sun themselves,” she explained. “This is the first time I've heard of this here. It's a little scary.

Maggie Berger, a spokeswoman for Texas Parks and Wildlife's Law Enforcement Division, told the outlet that Houston police are investigating the incident and “will be the lead agency moving forward.”

She added: “Our thoughts are with the woman’s family during this time.”

Authorities say fatal alligator attacks are very rare in Texas, with the last recorded in 2015 when a 28-year-old man was killed while swimming in Adams Bayou in Orange.

The incident was believed to be the first fatal alligator attack in more than 90 years.