A 56-year-old Minnesota woman, identified as Arlene Lillis, died after a suspected shark attack at Dorsch Beach, St. Croix, on Jan. 8. Emergency responders and marine units arrived after reports just before 4:30 p.m.; fire officials confirmed the victim lost an arm. A nearby witness with nursing and lifeguard training helped pull her ashore, but she later died at a hospital. The Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating and asks anyone with information to call 340-778-2211.
56-Year-Old Minnesota Woman Dies After Suspected Shark Attack Off St. Croix
BA LaRue / Alamy Stock PhotoDorsch Beach, St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands
A Minnesota resident has died after what authorities are calling a suspected shark attack at Dorsch Beach on St. Croix. The Virgin Islands Police Department responded to the scene on Jan. 8 after reports of a severe injury at the shoreline.
When and where: At approximately 4:28 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 8, police and marine units were dispatched to Dorsch Beach following reports that a swimmer had likely been bitten by a shark, the department said in a Facebook post. Fire crews and emergency medical services also responded.
Matt Champlin/GettyTropical Paradise Aerial of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands
Victim and injuries: Fire personnel confirmed the woman lost an arm during the incident. She was later identified by next of kin as 56-year-old Arlene Lillis of Minnesota. Emergency crews transported Lillis to a hospital, where she later died of her injuries.
Witness account: Christopher Carroll, a nearby guest at Sand Castle on the Beach who has training in nursing and lifeguarding, said he heard screaming from his room and ran to the water. He described seeing a large amount of blood and recognized the scene as likely a shark attack. After pulling Lillis ashore, Carroll and others helped move her out of the surf.
GettyGreat White Shark (stock image)
“I saw there was a woman in distress in the water,” Carroll told The Virgin Islands Consortium. “When I got to her, I saw a large amount of blood in the water. And then I realized that it was some kind of shark attack.”
Carroll recalled that Lillis’s left arm appeared to be missing from the elbow down and described severe trauma: “All the flesh was gone,” he said, adding that she appeared pale and blue and told rescuers her name, “Arlene.”
Investigation: Authorities initially reported unconfirmed claims of a possible second victim; St. Croix Rescue conducted a perimeter search and found no evidence of another injured person. The Virgin Islands Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211.
The Virgin Islands Police Department did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment on Jan. 9.
Content note: This article includes graphic descriptions of injuries.
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