An elderly woman's final words have been revealed after she was fatally attacked by an enormous alligator while walking her dog through a retirement community in Florida.
Gloria Serge, 85, was enjoying an ordinary afternoon with her beloved Shih Tzu, Trooper, when the terrifying encounter unfolded in February 2023.
The grandmother was walking near a lake at the Spanish Lakes Fairways community when an 11-foot alligator suddenly emerged from the water.
Her neighbour, Carol Thomas, witnessed the attack and desperately attempted to save her friend.
Now, Carol's account of the tragedy has resurfaced, including the final words she heard Gloria speak before she disappeared beneath the water.
What were Gloria Serge's last words?
According to her neighbour, Gloria's final words were: "I can't. The gator has me!"
Carol Thomas recalled the heartbreaking exchange while describing her attempts to rescue the grandmother from the alligator.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Carol explained that she had seen Gloria struggling in the water after the reptile grabbed her leg.
As Gloria briefly resurfaced, Carol tried to direct her towards an overturned paddle boat nearby.
She hoped Gloria might be able to reach the boat and hold onto it while help was sought.
However, Gloria's response made clear that she was unable to escape the animal's grip.
Those were the last words Carol reported hearing from her friend.
What happened during the alligator attack?
The tragedy occurred at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a large retirement community in St. Lucie County, Florida, where several lakes are home to wild alligators.
Gloria had been walking her small dog near the water when an alligator approached.
According to reports, the reptile initially appeared to target Trooper, but instead caught Gloria by the ankle.
The animal then dragged her towards the lake.
Carol, who witnessed the attack, described seeing the dog run away as Gloria was pulled into the water.
She immediately attempted to help, shouting instructions and looking for anything that might offer her friend a way to escape.
When Gloria could not reach the nearby paddle boat, Carol grabbed a metal pole and attempted to strike the alligator on its snout.
Despite her efforts, the reptile dragged Gloria underwater.
The grandmother did not resurface.
Neighbour describes desperate attempts to save Gloria
Carol has spoken about the helplessness she experienced while watching the attack unfold.
She explained that everything happened quickly, leaving her with very little time to respond.
After initially attempting to direct Gloria towards the overturned boat, she tried to intervene using the metal pole.
But the alligator's size and strength made the situation extremely dangerous.
Carol later admitted that the memory of the incident continued to haunt her.
She questioned whether there was anything else she could have done to save her friend.
Her account highlights the distress experienced by witnesses to sudden, traumatic incidents, particularly when attempts to help are unsuccessful.
What happened to Gloria's dog?
Although the alligator reportedly approached Gloria's Shih Tzu before attacking her, Trooper survived the encounter.
The small dog managed to escape and was not injured, according to reports.
The contrast between the dog's survival and Gloria's death made the incident especially heartbreaking for those who knew her.
Gloria had simply been taking her pet for a walk when the tragedy occurred.
What happened to the alligator after the attack?
Following the fatal incident, wildlife authorities responded to the retirement community.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that the alligator involved was captured and humanely killed.
The attack raised concerns about safety around waterways in residential areas where alligators are present.
Florida is home to a substantial population of American alligators, which can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers and other freshwater habitats.
Although serious attacks are relatively uncommon, the animals can pose a significant danger, particularly when people or pets approach the water's edge.
Gloria's son speaks about the unimaginable loss
Gloria's family were left devastated by the circumstances surrounding her death.
Speaking at a press conference following the attack, her son described the pain of imagining what his mother experienced during her final moments.
He said he could never have anticipated losing her in such a sudden and terrifying way.
The violent circumstances of her death, he explained, added another layer of grief to an already devastating loss.
His remarks reflected the lasting emotional impact of the tragedy on Gloria's loved ones.
What do wildlife experts recommend if you encounter an alligator?
Following the attack, wildlife specialists reminded residents of the importance of maintaining a safe distance from alligators.
Amy Kight, executive director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, Florida, advised people to stay at least 15 to 20 feet away from any alligator they encounter.
She also warned against feeding, approaching or attempting to interact with the animals.
Feeding alligators is particularly dangerous because it can encourage them to associate people with food.
Wildlife authorities generally recommend keeping pets on a leash and away from the edges of lakes and ponds, particularly in areas known to contain alligators.
People should also avoid swimming outside designated areas and remain especially cautious near the water at dawn and dusk, when alligators can be more active.
Anyone concerned about a potentially dangerous alligator should contact the appropriate wildlife authorities rather than attempting to remove it themselves.
A tragedy that continues to haunt the community
Although the attack occurred in February 2023, the circumstances surrounding Gloria's death have continued to attract attention.
Her neighbour's recollection provides a devastating account of how quickly an ordinary afternoon turned into a fatal emergency.
For Carol, the memory of her friend's final moments has remained difficult to process.
For Gloria's family, the tragedy meant losing a loved one in circumstances they could never have imagined.
And for residents living near alligator habitats, the incident remains a reminder of the importance of taking precautions around Florida's waterways.
Sources: VT, October 27, 2026; Daily Star interview with Carol Thomas; statements from Gloria Serge's family and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as reported by VT.
