Coroner Confirms Boy Attacked by Alligator Died of Drowning, Trauma -- Update

By Beckie Strum 

The 2-year-old boy who was dragged into the water by an alligator at a Walt Disney World resort died from "drowning and traumatic injuries," a medical examiner confirmed.

Orange County Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Sara Zydowicz completed the autopsy Thursday afternoon, 24 hours after a search team found the child's body in the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

The boy was identified as Lane T. Graves of Elkhorn, Neb.

Parents Matthew and Melissa Graves said they are "devastated" by Lane's death. "Words cannot describe the shock and grief our family is experiencing over the loss of our son," the family said in a statement to ABC news.

It took 17 hours and a search team of more than 50 law-enforcement personnel to find his body under about six feet of water. It was roughly 10 to 15 yards from where he was pulled under.

The toddler was wading at the man-made lagoon as his family relaxed nearby on Tuesday night when the alligator attacked. His father tried to rescue him, but failed, authorities said. The lagoon was marked by no-swimming signs.

Meanwhile, an investigation to find the alligator responsible for the child's death continues, Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement Thursday.

"FWC is analyzing all of the evidence collected so we can be as certain as possible that we have caught the alligator responsible," said a spokeswoman.

The chairman of the state agency said they are offering their continued support to the Graves family.

"They are now a part of our extended FWC family, and we will continue to stand with them," said Chairman Brian Yablonski.

Disney will install signs warning theme-park guests of alligators, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Write to Beckie Strum at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 16, 2016 20:46 ET (00:46 GMT)

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