DeLand, FL – An autopsy report confirms that the 62-year-old man who died swimming at Blue Spring State Park earlier this week was attacked by an alligator.
That’s the word from the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office after the results of Jim Okkerse’s autopsy were released on Wednesday afternoon, 2 days after his body was found in the water near the boil.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Lenny Salberg says the report shows the “cause and manner” of Okkurse’s death are “consistent” with an alligator attack.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr. Okkerse’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Salberg added.
Okkurse – who regularly swam at the spring with a group of friends – went missing around 9am Monday, leading to one of those friends to call 911 for help.
Searchers found Okkerse’s body at the bottom of a channel around 3 hours after the 911 call came in, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office incident report.
That report also showed that there was “obvious trauma” to Okkerse’s body that was “consistent with accounts of an alligator attack.”
Witnesses told FWC a large gator was spotted in the area around the time Okkurse died and it was a few hours after Okkurse’s body was found when trappers caught and shot a 12 and a half foot gator dead.
Salberg said FWC is “100% positive” that the euthanized gator was the one that killed Okkurse.
FWC did note that particular area of the park was closed briefly the day before due to reports of an alligator nearby, but park staff reopened it after failing to find the gator.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.