A final autopsy report for the death of SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau released today reveals several grisly details of the fatal injuries suffered by the 40-year-old after she was attacked by a 12,000-pound killer whale named Tilikum. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Brancheau received “blunt force” trauma to her neck, head, and torso, lost part of her scalp, injured her spinal cord, detached her left arm, and fractured her face, legs, arms, ribs, and back. Her lungs were also filled with fluid, indicating that she had drowned. At the time of the Feb. 24 attack, multiple witnesses reported that Tilikum had grabbed Brancheau by her ponytail during a public event at SeaWorld Orlando, dragging her into the tank before thrashing her in the water.
Mar 31
2010
07:43 PM ET
Killer whale attack: Autopsy discloses grisly details
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Holy s***. were there people watching this?
Unfortunately, yes, there were people watching this attack but they were unable to do anything to help this trainer. Other trainers couldn’t help…if I recall correctly (and I could be wrong) but it took them three hours to get to this woman. Very sad. I hope people will realize that these beautiful and very dangerous creatures deserve to be set free, in the ocean…not kept captive. Sad but preventable death.
do we really need to know the details?
No one asked you to read it John, the title told you what you were in for.
the better question, John, is why is this on an entertainment website?
Why is this on EW.com?
I was thinking the same thing, seems misplaced to me. This is definitely NOT entertaining, just sad
I guess, if you want to get technical, Sea World is based on providing entertainment, so……..
I assumed it was about celebrities and entertainment involving books, music, movies, television and gaming. I don’t think a swimming whale is considered a topic EW would cover.
It could be on EW because the Sea World shows are considered a form of entertainment.
people were watching and apparently there is a video of the entire thing happening. I live near Orlando, so this has been on the local news since it happened.
Jessica — I, too, heard about there being a video of the entire incident. What I heard was that the person who has the video was trying to get news’ stations to buy it. But that could be false information. All I know is that I, too, heard that there was a video of the entire attack.
Sensationalism at its finest, folks.
What’s sensational about this? Nothing that I can see. Seems like factual information and typical autopsy terminology.
You aren’t very well acquainted with the term, then.
They’re not called “Hugs and Kisses Whales”, are they?
Good point.
In the wild, where they belong, they kill seals to eat. Not people. So to a seal, they are a Killer Whale. Unfortunately to people, they’ve become entertainment.
Laugh O L. An excellent point you make!
No, they are called killer whales… even though they aren’t whales. Orca’s are part of the dolphin family so maybe we should call them killer dolphins. Whatever we call them, they are wild animals and no matter how much they are trained any time someone gets in a tank with them they are rolling the dice and taking a big chance. This poor woman isn’t the first trainer an Orca has killed and she won’t be the last.
Actually, to get technical, doplhins ARE whales.
Actually, not only have other Killer Whales killed at SeaWorld— THIS VERY ONE has. And yet for some reason they continued to keep it as a show animal. I hope her family sues the bejeezus out of Sea World. This is little different than that woman who had her face ripped off by her friend’s “pet” monkey. We are called to be guardians of wildlife, not their acting coaches.
WOW! I didn’t know it was that gruesome in scope.
my theory that she was poisoned, debunked.
Based on the autopsy report, it sounds like Jack Bauer was involved.
It is so refreshing to read about an autopsy on ew.com that doesn’t involve a drug overdose or sexual asphyxiation.
I can’t figure out why this is being reported by ew.com. Scratching my head on this one…
Because the whale was being used in a show for entertainment when the incident occurred.
Why do you need to post this? It’s so sad!
This is not entertainment news. I understand the initial reporting of the incident but this is just too much.
Is this entertainment? I don’t like all these details being on display anyway, but to have it on EW? Wow, must be a slow movie day.
I’m sure there is a conspiracy here somewhere. Maybe a second killer whale…
euthanize that whale!