Arlene Lillis, 56, a Minnesota grandmother visiting St. Croix, died after a suspected shark attack at Dorsch Beach on Jan. 8. She suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of an arm, and later died at a hospital despite bystander and emergency efforts. Neighbors and family remembered her as an experienced snorkeler who loved animals and recently became a grandmother. The U.S. Virgin Islands Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211.
Minnesota Grandmother, 56, Dies After Suspected Shark Attack While Visiting St. Croix
GettyCaribbean Reef Shark.
Arlene Lillis, 56, a Minnesota grandmother visiting St. Croix, died after what authorities say was a suspected shark attack at Dorsch Beach on Jan. 8. The U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department reported the incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m.; Lillis sustained catastrophic injuries, including the loss of an arm, and later died after being transported to a hospital.
Family and Neighbors Remember Her
Her husband, Rich Lillis, posted an emotional tribute on Facebook calling Arlene a "sweet wife, mother and grandmother," and asking friends and family to remember her kindly. Neighbors described Arlene as an experienced snorkeler who loved St. Croix, enjoyed hiking and the water, and had a deep compassion for animals. One neighbor noted she had become a grandmother about six months earlier.
Rescue Efforts and Eyewitness Accounts
Bystanders rushed to help after hearing the woman's screams. Christopher Carroll, a former lifeguard and nurse from Utah, and Ryan Connot, a bystander from Nebraska, pulled Arlene toward shore. According to rescuers, she was conscious when brought to the beach, gave her name, and told responders, "I'm going to die." Emergency personnel and first responders rendered aid and transported her by ambulance to a hospital, where she later died.
"We are grateful to the bystanders who acted immediately to render aid and to the first responders who worked urgently and bravely in an effort to save her life," Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach said in a statement offering condolences.
Ongoing Investigation
The U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department said an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211. Local outlets reporting details include People, KVLY, ABC News and the St. Thomas Source.
Note: This article respects the privacy of the family while reporting verified details from authorities and eyewitnesses.
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