Woman killed in Florida alligator attack identified as homeless mother

A woman found dead in a Florida waterway after a suspected alligator attack has been identified by authorities.

Sabrina Peckham, 41, was allegedly killed by a male alligator measuring nearly 14 feet long.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was called Friday to reports of a body in a canal in Largo around 1:50 p.m.

Eyewitnesses said the body was found in the alligator's mouth.

“With the assistance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a 13-foot, 8.5-inch male alligator was humanely killed and removed from the waterway,” the sheriff's office said in a statement. .

“The deceased victim has been identified as Sabrina Peckham, 41,” he added.

The cause and manner of Ms Peckham's death have not yet been confirmed. An autopsy is expected to be carried out and an investigation is still underway.

His relatives have been informed.

Ms Peckham's daughter, Breauna Dorris, wrote on Facebook that her mother was “part of the homeless population who lived in the nearby wooded area”.

“It is believed she was walking to or from her campsite near the creek in the dark and the alligator attacked from the water,” Ms Dorris wrote.

“No one deserves to die like this.”

Addressing her mother, she continued: “I love you more than I have ever expressed, I miss you more than you will ever know and I pray that you look down on me and your little ones- children. Please protect us.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you. I pray that you will be at peace and no longer struggle or suffer. I pray that you have found mom and dad and are all looking down from above.

A Gofundme page raising money for Ms Peckham's funeral raised more than $5,800 (£4,700) on Monday.

“We will use the funds raised through the gofund me to lay my mother to rest on our family plot,” Ms Dorris said on Facebook. “My mother is only 41, so we didn't expect to be doing this anytime soon. We expected to spend many more years with her.