At a Glance
- Arlene Lillis, 56, died after a suspected shark attack at Dorcsh Beach, St. Croix, on Jan. 8
- The Minnesota grandmother lost an arm and was pulled to shore by two bystanders before dying in hospital
- Neighbors describe her as a kind animal-lover who planned to stay on the island until May
- Why it matters: Rare fatal shark attacks in the Caribbean highlight hidden dangers for tourists
A Minnesota grandmother has died following a suspected shark attack while snorkeling off a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to police and witness accounts.
Arlene Lillis, 56, was in the water at Dorcsh Beach just before 4:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 8, when the apparent attack occurred, authorities said.
The Attack
Lillis lost an arm during the incident, police confirmed. Two vacationers heard her screams and rushed to help.
Christopher Carroll, a former lifeguard and Utah nurse, was on a resort balcony when he heard what he described as “ungodly” screams, the St. Thomas Source reported. He ran to the water and began pulling Lillis toward shore.
Ryan Connot, visiting from Nebraska, joined the rescue effort on the sand. Connot said Lillis managed to tell them her name before Carroll recalled her saying, “I’m going to die.”
Paramedics arrived and transported her to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Tributes to a ‘Beautiful’ Grandma
Rich Lillis, Arlene’s husband of more than 30 years, posted a tribute on Facebook the following day.
“She was so beautiful inside and out!” he wrote. “She will be missed every second of the day. She was so smart and loving. I was hesitant to write anything but it is all over the news. Please say some nice words to remember her.”
The couple had arrived in St. Croix days earlier and intended to remain at their winter home until May, neighbors told NBC affiliate KVLY.
Neighbor Susan Murray said Lillis became a grandmother about six months ago. “She loved St. Croix,” Murray added, noting that Lillis was an experienced snorkeler.
Andrew Gamble, another neighbor, told ABC News that Lillis had owned her St. Croix property for several years and began living there during the winter starting last year.
“Arlene was active and fun-loving, and above all she was genuinely kind,” Gamble said. “She loved hiking, the water, and snorkeling, and she had a deep love for animals.”
He recalled that Lillis recently nursed a sick feral dog back to health. “She treated everybody – people, animals – the same way: with great love,” he added.
Island Officials Respond
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach issued a joint statement late Thursday expressing condolences and praising the rescuers.
“We are grateful to the bystanders who acted immediately to render aid and to the first responders who worked urgently and bravely in an effort to save her life,” Bryan said.
Police stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211.
Shark attacks in the region are rare; the International Shark Attack File lists only a handful of confirmed unprovoked bites in the U.S. Virgin Islands over the past several decades.
Key Takeaways
- Arlene Lillis, 56, died after a suspected shark bite at Dorcsh Beach on Jan. 8
- She lost an arm but was conscious when two bystanders pulled her ashore
- Lillis, a new grandmother from Minnesota, split her time between St. Croix and the mainland
- Authorities continue to investigate the territory’s first suspected shark-related fatality in years
