Authorities have recognized Sean McGuinness, 47, as the person whose physique was noticed close to an alligator within the lake of a Largo park Tuesday.
McGuinness was found dead around 8 a.m.
Tuesday by an individual strolling their canine close to the shoreline of Taylor Lake in John S.
Taylor Park, 1100 Eighth Ave.
SW in Largo.
The lake the place McGuinness was discovered is subsequent to a disc golf course, and Largo police imagine McGuinness was wading into the lake in search of flying discs within the water when he died.
Investigators initially thought McGuinness had drowned, Officer Forest Rothchild, a spokesperson for the Conservation Fee’s legislation enforcement wing, advised the Instances on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, investigators quickly decided McGuinness had “suffered accidents associated to alligators within the lake,” Largo police stated.
A medical expert has but to find out McGuinness’ precise explanation for dying, in accordance with the discharge from Largo police.
Alligator trappers responded to the lake Tuesday, in accordance with Largo police.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee stated in an announcement Wednesday that trappers captured and killed two alligators , one 10 toes lengthy and one other 8 toes lengthy.
Preliminary necropsies of the reptiles “revealed no proof of their involvement with the deceased,” the wildlife fee stated. “Efforts are underway to watch for extra alligators within the space.” There are “no swimming” indicators posted across the park, however park administration stated McGuinness was identified to ignore these, in accordance with police.
Witnesses additionally advised Largo detectives that McGuinness was identified to promote the discs he discovered within the lake.
New discs can price from to , in accordance with Charlie Goodpasture, 34, the proprietor of PureLine Disc Golf in Pinellas Park and an expert disc golfer.
Ken Hostnick, 56, was enjoying disc golf Tuesday on the park the place McGuinness was killed.
Hostnick stated he didn’t know McGuinness, however he’s conscious there are individuals who attempt to get better misplaced discs. “These are folks which are down on their luck,” he stated. “Generally they dive within the lakes, they’ll pull out 40 discs.
You could promote them for 5 bucks apiece, and you might promote them for 10 bucks apiece, relying on the standard.” One other man retrieving discs was bitten in the face by an alligator at Taylor Lake in 2020.
At the moment, a state wildlife spokesperson stated there had been no different reported alligator assaults within the park for a minimum of 10 years.
Alligators are in all places in Florida, swimming and sunning themselves round lakes, retention ponds, rivers and golf greens.
However assaults are uncommon.
As of final November, no confirmed deadly alligator bites had been documented within the state since 2019, according to the Conservation Commission .
Folks ought to hold their distance from alligators and never feed them, the state says.
Alligators’ mating season stretches by Might and June.
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Anybody anxious a few particular gator is urged to name the Conservation Fee’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
Instances Workers Writers Zachary T.
Sampson, Natalie Weber and Josh Fiallo contributed to this report.
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