Burglary suspect eaten by alligator as he fled police
Parts of Matthew Riggins' body were found inside the reptile's stomach
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 22-year-old man suspected of burgling homes in Florida was killed and partially eaten by an 11-foot alligator after he waded into a lake, apparently to avoid detection by law enforcement officers pursuing him, police said on Tuesday.
An autopsy on the man, Matthew Riggins of Palm Bay, determined that he drowned in November after an apparent alligator attack. A necropsy on the alligator revealed parts of the man's body in the reptile's stomach, according to a report released this week by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's deputies chased Riggins and another suspect with dogs and a helicopter on 13 November after residents in the Barefoot Bay community reported two men walking behind houses, authorities said.
No suspects were caught that night. Riggins was reported missing by his family when he did not return home, according to the sheriff's report. His body was found 10 days later floating in a lake, with an aggressive gator standing guard, sheriff's Major Tod Goodyear said.
"I believe he was hiding," Goodyear said of how Riggins ended up in the lake. "With the dogs out there, it's not a bad idea to go into the water."
Goodyear said Riggins had told his girlfriend by telephone that he would be burgling homes the evening of 13 November and later told her he was being chased by deputies.
Reuters
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments