Authorities: Evidence shows gator killed US woman

DAVIE (AP) — A woman who disappeared while walking her dogs near a Florida lake on Friday was bitten and likely killed by an alligator that was later captured, wildlife officials said.

A necropsy confirmed the gator bit Shizuka Matsuki, 47, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said in a statement.

The statement said officials believe Matsuki was killed and were searching for her body.

Commission spokesman Rob Klepper said they were able to positively identify the woman from evidence collected from the necropsy of the alligator, but he wouldn’t specifically say what that evidence was.

A witness told authorities he saw the woman walking two dogs and then noticed the dogs alone, barking near the water.

One of the dogs had a fresh injury, a gash on its side, said Davie Police Detective Viviana Gallinal.

The witness called police when he couldn’t find the woman, Gallinal said. Earlier news media reports indicated the witness reported seeing the gator drag the woman into the water. Police did not immediately clarify the discrepancy.

Trappers have spotted a 12-foot alligator in the pond in Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park, she said. Jim Borrelli, a friend of Matsuki, said she and her husband have walked their dogs in the park previously.