LAKELAND, Fla. – Police in Central Florida are trying to figure out how an alligator got ahold of a body.
A Lakeland police spokesperson said officers responded Tuesday afternoon to Lake Hunter following a report of an alligator with a body in its mouth, WKMG-TV reports.
"The officers got here and the alligator still had the person," said Sgt. Gary Gross from Lakeland police, WFLA-TV reports. "He let the individual go. He is deceased. Looks like this person may have been dead more than a day."
Officers were able to retrieve the body. The spokesperson said a trapper was called to capture the 8-foot reptile.
It wasn't known if the alligator killed the person or simply found the dead body, WKMG-TV reports. The spokesperson said a medical examiner will have to determine the cause of death.