Grandmother Killed by 10-Foot Alligator After Community Ignored Warnings

A South Carolina family says a private gated community failed to protect residents from dangerous alligators before a horrifying attack left a beloved grandmother dead and partially eaten by a massive 10-foot predator.

According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Holly Jenkins, the 69-year-old woman was killed while walking her dog inside her Hilton Head Island neighborhood in July 2023.

Now, the community where she lived — Spanish Wells Club — has reportedly agreed to settle the lawsuit after being accused of making promises about alligator safety while allegedly doing little to actually protect residents.

Court records show a confidential settlement was approved on May 5.

The lawsuit claimed the neighborhood’s leadership and management company were aware that alligator attacks in the Hilton Head area were increasing but allegedly failed to properly monitor lagoons and ponds or remove dangerous nuisance gators from the property.

According to the complaint, the community had promised residents “on-site alligator risk management services,” leading homeowners to believe steps were being taken to keep them safe.

But Jenkins’ family says those promises were empty.

The terrifying attack unfolded on July 4, 2023, after Jenkins left home to walk the family dog around the neighborhood.

Her husband and adult son later became alarmed when the dog suddenly returned home alone still wearing its leash — but Jenkins was nowhere to be found.

The two men immediately began searching the neighborhood for her.

According to the lawsuit, Jenkins’ son eventually heard splashing coming from a nearby pond and rushed over in a golf cart.

What he found was horrifying.

The complaint states he discovered his mother lying face down in the water while a large alligator swam nearby.

Authorities say the son desperately tried distracting the massive reptile to stop it from attacking her further while emergency crews rushed to the scene.

The alligator was eventually killed by responding authorities.

But the gruesome details became even more disturbing afterward.

According to the lawsuit, Jenkins did not die immediately during the initial attack. A necropsy later revealed the alligator had partially consumed her remains.

The complaint states investigators found Jenkins’ foot and hand inside the alligator’s stomach.

Her family blamed the tragedy on what they described as the community’s failure to maintain safe conditions despite allegedly knowing the risks posed by large alligators in residential areas.

The lawsuit further accused the neighborhood of failing to properly monitor ponds, identify aggressive alligators, or secure enough state permits needed to remove dangerous animals from the area.

Neither the Spanish Wells Club nor the property management company publicly commented on the settlement.

Jenkins’ obituary described her as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and proud dog mom whose tragic death devastated her family and community.