The parents of a two-year-old boy who was snatched from a Florida beach by an alligator have spoken out for the first time since their tragic loss.
As guests at Disney’s five-star Grand Floridian Resort & Spa enjoyed an open-air movie, Lane Graves was playing in the shallow water with his big sister Ella (4) under the supervision of their parents, Melissa and Matt Graves when the animal attacked.
His body was recovered from the water 16 hours later. Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as drowning and traumatic injuries.
In a statement, the Graves family said:
“Words cannot describe the shock and grief our family is experiencing over the loss of our son.
“We are devastated and ask for privacy during this extremely difficult time. To all of the local authorities and staff who worked tirelessly these past 24 hours, we express our deepest gratitude.”
All beaches at Disney’s Orlando resorts have been closed following the tragedy. Meanwhile a senior source revealed to CNN that alligator warning signs are to be erected near all the waterways at Walt Disney World resorts as soon as possible to ensure all guests are aware of the danger wild alligators potentially pose to small children.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings highlighted that police have no reason to believe the child’s parents were neglectful in any way:
“There’s nothing in this case to indicate that there was anything extraordinary” in terms of neglect by the parents, he said.
Deepest condolences to the Graves family. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nXaRrgjLhl
— OCSO FL News (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 16, 2016
The President of the Walt Disney World Resort, George Kalogridis, also made a statement, saying “There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss,”
Infogroup the company where Matt Graves works as an account executive, also released a statement expressing their condolences:
“Matt Graves is a leader of our Omaha Infogroup office as well as our chief data officer. He is a dear friend of mine and an integral member of the Infogroup family, and I am absolutely stunned and heartbroken to learn of his family’s unspeakable loss,”
“Matt’s family is the light of his life and his family’s anguish is our own. What happened last night was a terrible accident and one that is devastating to the entirety of Infogroup. We are in contact with the Graves family and we will be there to support them every way we can. We ask that the media please respect the family in this horrible time as they privately grieve their loss,”
Image: Christian Post
