Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Retirement Community After Woman Killed by Alligator

Fort Pierce, Florida - The family of Gloria Serge, an 85-year-old woman who was tragically killed by an alligator last year, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the retirement community where the attack took place. The lawsuit alleges that the retirement community, Spanish Lakes Fairways, failed to take appropriate action to protect its residents from the known presence of the 10-foot alligator, which had been nicknamed Henry.

Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment when the alligator attacked Serge as she was trying to protect her small dog from being attacked. The footage, released by Inside Edition, also includes a distressed 911 call made by a neighbor who witnessed the attack. Wildlife officials estimate that the alligator was 10 feet long and weighed around 700 pounds.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Serge's son, William Serge, who manages her estate, seeks at least $50,000 in damages from Wynne Building Corporation, the owner and operator of Spanish Lakes Fairways. The lawsuit claims that the corporation knew or should have known about the presence of the alligator on the property but failed to warn residents or take steps to remove the animal.

Attorneys representing Serge's family allege that employees of the retirement community regularly fed the alligator, which diminished its fear of humans. They also claim that Spanish Lakes threatened to evict Serge if she walked her dog on the street, forcing her to walk the dog near the pond where the alligator lived.

The lawsuit further alleges that Spanish Lakes failed to warn residents about the presence of alligators and even installed docks and waterside benches, giving residents the false impression that the reptiles posed no threat.

During a news conference, William Serge expressed his grief and emphasized that the tragedy could have been prevented. He hopes that by sharing his mother's story, similar incidents can be avoided in the future.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that Serge's remains were recovered after the attack. A trapper hired by the commission captured and euthanized the alligator responsible for the attack.

While fatal alligator attacks are rare, with only 26 fatalities reported in Florida between 1948 and 2022, the lawsuit argues that this incident was entirely preventable if appropriate measures had been taken by the retirement community.

Wynne Building Corporation, as well as Spanish Lakes Fairways, have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. The family is seeking a jury trial to hold the corporation accountable for the tragic death of Gloria Serge.