File Picture of Dawn Brancheau
MIAMI, Fla-SeaWorld has just released a statement from the family of Dawn Brancheau. Brancheau was the veteran orca trainer that was killed during a public performance, with “Tilikum”,one of the famed killer whales from the Shamu show at the popular theme park in Orlando,Fl.
“You have all heard what an amazing trainer Dawn Brancheau was and it is true – she was the best. It came naturally to her. Being a trainer was a life-long dream that she achieved. She loved her job, and she loved her animals,” The statement reads.
“For her husband, family and friends, Dawn was so much more. She was a compassionate and loving person who lived life to the fullest. She touched so many lives. Those who knew and loved her have suffered a tremendous loss, one so unexpected that it is extremely difficult to even process or comprehend at this time. Our family sincerely appreciates everyone’s prayers and compassionate thoughts for Dawn, her husband and family.”
While we understand that this tragic event is capturing headlines across the country, at this time, our family needs space and privacy to absorb our loss. We sincerely hope that the media will honor and respect this request.”
ORLANDO, Fla- The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has released the autopsy results of the veteran SeaWorld trainer who was killed by one of the famous killer whales, that is showcased as “Shamu”, at the world-famous theme park in Florida.
Forty-year-old Dawn Brancheau was pulled by her pony-tail and pulled into the tank where she died from”from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning after one of the park’s killer whales pulled her into a pool behind Shamu Stadium”, confirmed the autopsy results, released Thursday afternoon.
The report also describes the scene immediately after Brancheau was pulled in the tank by the orca. Apparently, rescuers were not able to jump into the water to “render assistance” to Brancheau due to the “aggressive nature” of the killer whale, given the name”Tilikum”,by her trainers.Ironically, the name is a Chinook indigenous word that means “friend.” Tilikum, or Tilly as he is also called, was involved in the death of another female trainer at a Canadian sea park in 1991, and implicated in yet another death at Orlando’s Shamu stadium in 1999, when a man snuck into his pool.
Brancheau’s body was finally”recovered from the whale by Sea World staff members after the animal was coaxed into a smaller pool and lifted out of the water by a large scale/platform that lay on the bottom of the smaller tank”, the report says.
HERE IS THE FULL RELEASE OF THE AUTOPSY RESULTS:
Autopsy determines multiple traumatic injuries and drowing
to be the probable cause of death to Sea World trainer
Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators advise that the Orange County Medical Examiner has determined that 40 year old Dawn Brancheau most likely died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning after one of the park’s killer whales pulled her into a pool behind Shamu Stadium.
The trainer, who had 16 years of experience working with Orcas, was apparently interacting with the attraction’s largest male whale in knee deep water when the animal grabbed her by the hair, said to be in a long pony tail, and pulled her underwater. Rescuers were not able to immediately jump in and render assistance to the Brancheau due to the whale’s aggressive nature. She was recovered from the whale by Sea World staff members after the animal was coaxed into a smaller pool and lifted out of the water by a large scale/platform that lay on the bottom of the smaller tank.
While this incident remains the subject of an ongoing death investigation there are no signs of foul play. All evidence and witness statements indicate that the death was a tragic accident.
First responders to the accident scene at the stadium believed that the victim had somehow slipped or fell into the orca’s pool but, after witness statements were taken and reviewed by homicide investigators, it became apparent that the whale had, in fact, pulled Brancheau into the pool and was the cause of her fatal injuries.
Since the 9-1-1 recordings relating to this incident have not been reviewed by investigators they are not available for release. We have no additional information to provide at this time however updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
– j30s –