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List of fatal, unprovoked shark attacks in the United States by decade

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This is a list of fatal, unprovoked shark attacks that occurred in United States territorial waters by decade in reverse chronological order. Fatal shark attacks that resulted from provocation (e.g. shooting the shark with a speargun) are not included. Neither are attacks that occurred outside U.S. territorial waters (e.g. the shark attacks which occurred after the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WWII would not be included here).

Contents

[edit] 2000s

Name, ageDateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Jamie Marie Daigle, 14 June 25, 2005 Bull shark Killed while swimming with a friend on boogie boards about 200 yards off a beach in Walton County, Florida eight miles east of Destin, Florida. Witnesses estimated the shark was 6-8 feet in length. <ref> [1] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Randy Fry, 50 August 15, 2004 Great white shark Killed while diving with a friend in 15-20 feet of water 150 feet from shore off Mendocino, California near Kibesillah Rock. The shark was estimated to be 16-18 feet long. <ref> [2] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Willis R. McInnis, 57 April 7, 2004 Tiger shark Attacked while surfing off Pohaku Park, Maui, Hawaii. He died a short time after the attack as a result of blood loss from severe wounds to his right thigh and calf. <ref> [3] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Courtney Marcher, 22 April 4, 2004 Unconfirmed, probably tiger shark Disappeared while surfing at Velzyland, North shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Her surfboard washed ashore; marks on the leash suggested shark involvement. <ref> [4] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Deborah Franzman, 50 August 19, 2003 Great white shark Killed while swimming 75 yards off Avila Beach, California in about 20 feet of water. She was clad in a wetsuit and fins; sea lions were present. The shark was estimated to be 15-18 feet long. <ref> [5] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Eric Reichardt, 42 September 16, 2001 Unconfirmed, probably bull or tiger shark This death was officially classified as a drowning by the Broward County, Florida medical examiners office; however, it is listed as a fatal shark attack by the International Shark Attack File. Drowned while diving on a wreck in 300 feet of water 2 miles off Pompano Beach, Florida fighting off a shark. <ref> [6]URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref> His regulator may have fallen out of his mouth causing him to drown. <ref> [7]URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>
Sergei Zaloukaev, 28 September 3, 2001 Unconfirmed, experts are divided whether it was a bull or tiger shark <ref> [8] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>, <ref> [9] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref> Killed while swimming with his girlfriend in the surf off Avon, Hatteras Island, Dare County, North Carolina; his girlfriend, Natalia Slobodskaya, was severely injured in the attack but survived.
David Peltier, 10 September 1, 2001 Unconfirmed, probably a bull shark Killed while surfing with his father and brothers at Sandbridge Beach, south of Virginia Beach, Princess Anne County, Virginia. <ref> Ibid. </ref>
Thadeus Kubinski, 69 August 30, 2000 Bull shark Killed while swimming in Pinellas County, Florida. Witnesses said Kubinski had jumped into the water from the dock behind his home for his daily swim and was splashing vigorously. The shark raced toward him with its dorsal fin out of the water. He died from massive blood loss and organ damage before rescuers could get to him. The shark was estimated to be 9 feet long and weigh 400 pounds.<ref> [10] URL last accessed April 18, 2006 </ref>

[edit] 1990s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Nahid Davoodabai, 29 March 18, 1999 Unconfirmed Her husband reported that a shark bit off her arm while she was swimming - towing a kayak - in channel waters off Maui's west side. Some investigators have said that they are not sure that they completely believe his version of events. Her body was never recovered. <ref> [11] </ref>
James Willie Tellasmon, 9 November 21, 1998 Tiger shark Killed while swimming off Ocean Beach, Jaycee Park, Indian River County, Florida. His torso and legs washed up on the beach the next day. His arms and head were never recovered. The nature of the wounds allowed experts to conclusively establish that the shark was a tiger shark, about six feet in length.
William Covert, 25 September 13, 1995 Bull shark Scuba Diver presumed killed by a 10-12 foot Bull shark near Alligator Reef off Islamorada, Monroe County, Florida. His body was not recovered.
James Robinson, 42 December 9, 1994 Great white shark Killed while diving for sea urchins off Harris Point, San Miguel Island, California. The shark was estimated to be 16-18 feet long.
Michelle von Emster, 25 April 16, 1994 Great white shark Killed while swimming off Pt. Loma, California. The San Diego County medical examiners office ruled that she was killed in a fatal shark attack; however, some in the law enforcement community have questioned this conclusion and feel that she may have been murdered and dumped in the Pacific Ocean. Her leg was bitten off by a great white shark. <ref> [12]URL last accessed April 19, 2006 </ref>
Jim Broach January 31, 1994 Tiger shark Killed while surfing at Velzyland on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
Daniel McMoyler December 1993 Tiger shark On January 11, 1994, his remains washed up on the beach at Waipio, Hawaii. He is thought to have been killed by an 8 foot tiger shark while surfing sometime the previous month.
Aaron Romento, 18 November 5, 1992 Tiger shark Attacked and killed while body boarding off Ke'eau Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii.
Bryan Adona, 29 February 19, 1992 Tiger shark Presumed killed by a tiger shark when he did not return from bodyboarding, west of Waimea Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. There were no witnesses to the attack; however, his body board was found the following morning with a 16-inch crescent-shaped piece missing that experts said was made by a large tiger shark.
Martha Joy Morrell, 41 November 26, 1991 Tiger shark Killed while snorkeling 100 yards from shore at Olowalu, Maui, Hawaii less than a mile from Camp Pecusa.
Suk Kyu (Steve) Park November 19, 1991 Tiger shark Fishing from rocks, swept out to sea and treading water when attacked at Maliko Point, Maui, Hawaii. His body was not recovered. Shorts found indicate shark bite on left side.
Roy Tanaka February 17, 1990 Unconfirmed Killed while scuba diving and spearfishing off Makapu'u Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.

[edit] 1980s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Ray Mehl Jr. October 14, 1989 Tiger shark Killed while scuba diving off Kahi Point, Hawaii.
Tamara McAllister, 24 January 26, 1989 Great white shark Killed while kayaking off the coast of Malibu, California with her boyfriend, Roy Jeffrey Stoddard. McAllister's body was found floating face down two days later with large sections from her legs and buttocks missing; no trace of Stoddard has ever been found.
John P. Martin, 38 September 13, 1988 Bull shark Killed while snorkeling around Shell Island near Panama City, Florida. A 10 foot long bull shark caused fatal thigh and hand wounds.
Daniel Kennedy April 15, 1987 Unconfirmed Presumed killed by a shark. His body was never recovered but his shark bitten swim trunks were found on the sea floor near Kona, Hawaii
Male diver, 67 August 1985 Unconfirmed Presumed killed by a shark in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida. Body not recovered. Some of his equipment - regulator, a fin, bathing suit were recovered showing teethmarks.
Omar Conger, 28 September 15, 1984 Great white shark Killed while diving in 15 feet of water near Pigeon Point, San Mateo, California.
Lewis Boren, 24 December 19, 1981 Great white shark While surfing in 10 feet of water off South Moss Beach, Spanish Bay, Monterey, California, a huge great white shark (23 feet) bit through Boren and his board and killed him.
Mark Meeker, 26 September 15, 1981 Unconfirmed, probably a bull shark Killed while swimming between Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key in Tampa Bay, Manatee County, Florida. Meeker was found dead the next day. He had taken off his bathing suit to use the drawstring as a makeshift tourniquet on his right calf.
Christy Wapniarski, 19 August 10, 1981 unconfirmed A catamaran she was riding on had capsized the night before off Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida. Killed by a shark while attempting to swim to shore at daybreak.
Roger Garletts May 21, 1981 Unconfirmed Disappeared while scuba diving and spearfishing at Haena Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii. His dive gear and shredded wetsuit were recovered suggesting a fatal shark attack.

[edit] 1970s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
elderly male 1979 Unconfirmed Disappeared while fishing from shore at South Kohala, Oahu, Hawaii. Divers recovered his hand.
Danson Nakaima 1976 Unconfirmed Presumed killed while scuba diving off Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. 3 large sharks were seen near his partial remains.
Stephen C. Powell July 16, 1976 Unconfirmed Killed by a shark while scuba diving off Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii. The lower portion of his body was recovered.
Billy Horne, 10 July 2, 1974 Unconfirmed While adrift after the yacht he was in caught on fire and sank, he was killed by a shark in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida.
Rodney Temple October 14, 1972 Oceanic whitetips (x2) Killed while scuba diving at Cane Bay, St. Croix, USVI. His body was never recovered.

[edit] 1960s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Lt.(jg) John Gibson, 25 April 20, 1963 Galapagos Shark Killed while swimming at Magens Bay, St. Thomas, USVI. His hand was later found in a 10 foot long Galapagos shark.
Hans Fix, 40 August 19, 1962 Unconfirmed Killed while surf fishing in waist deep water at Andy Bowie Park, Padre Island, near Port Isabel, Texas.
Jacob Horn, 45 October 1961 Unconfirmed Presumed killed by a shark; his mutilated body washed ashore near Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida.
William J. Dandridge, 23 June 24, 1961 Unconfirmed Killed while scuba diving and spear fishing 9 miles east of Key Biscayne, Dade County, Florida. The left side of his torso including the left arm was bitten off.
Harold Riley December 27, 1960 Unconfirmed Swept out to sea while net fishing at Maile Point, Oahu, Hawaii. A shark was seen attacking Riley. His body was recovered off Nanakuli.
Young Marine Recruit August 1960 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming from camp off Parris Island, South Carolina.

[edit] 1950s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Lt. James Neal, 26 August 15, 1959 Unconfirmed Presumed killed while spearfishing with scuba gear near Panama City, Florida. Dive gear and clothes were found with teeth marks. He is presumed to have been taken by a shark while alive.
Robert Pamperin, 33 June 14, 1959 Great white shark Killed while freediving for abalone in 30 feet of water off La Jolla, California. His body was not recovered; however, the attack was witnessed.
Albert Kogler, Jr., 18 May 7, 1959 Great white shark Killed while swimming in less than 15 feet of water off Baker Beach, San Francisco, California.
William Weaver, 15 December 13, 1958 Tiger shark Killed while surfing on an air mattress near Twin Islands off Lanikai, Oahu, Hawaii. His leg was severed.
Angel Escartin, 35 (male) July 10, 1958 Unconfirmed Autopsy report concluded that he was bitten by a shark off Key West, Monroe County, Florida while still alive.
Rupert Wade, 57 July 15, 1957 Great white shark Killed while swimming in the surf at Atlantic Beach, Salter Path, Carteret County, North Carolina.
Peter Savino, 25 April 28, 1957 Great white shark Killed while swimming in less than 10 feet of water off Atascadero Beach, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, California. Witnesses saw his arm sticking out of the shark's mouth. His body was not recovered.
Sailor from tuna vessel August 30, 1955 Blue shark Killed while swimming in Pago Pago Bay near tuna cannery, Tutila Island, American Samoa.
Kosuo Mizokawa, 27 January 6, 1955 Unconfirmed Dived overboard and was swimming near the stern of a trawler near tuna cannery in Pago Pago harbor, Tutila Island, American Samoa.
Harold Souza, 15 July 26, 1953 Unconfirmed Killed while spearfishing off Maile Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.
Leonard Gant April 15, 1953 Unconfirmed Killed by a shark off McGregor Point, Maui, Hawaii swimming after canoe he was in became swamped.
Gordon S. Chun April 8, 1953 Unconfirmed Swept into the sea while fishing from shore. Body recovered was mutilated by sharks. May have drowned near Wailupe, Oahu, Hawaii.
Barry Wilson, 17 December 7, 1952 Great white shark Killed while swimming in 20 feet of water off Pacific Grove beach, Monterey, California.
Gerbacio Solano, 40 December 3, 1952 Unconfirmed, probably a tiger shark Killed while swimming from fishing boat setting nets at Maile Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.
Shigeichi Kawamura August 3, 1952 Unconfirmed Disappeared while swimming between the Ala Moana channel and Kewalo Basin, Oahu, Hawaii. A shark bite was found on the right side of his body.
Male Pan Am pilot 1952 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming near Key West, Florida. He was bitten in the groin area.
Alejandro Nodura June 25, 1951 Unconfirmed Swept out to sea while fishing at Kapehu Beach, Hawaii. Victim was last seen in the shark's mouth.
Gilbert S. Hotta January 16, 1950 Unconfirmed Swept into the sea while fishing by a large wave near Kahakuloa, Maui, Hawaii. His remains were recovered from a "huge shark" three days later.

[edit] 1940s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Ralph Reginald Rives Jr, 20 August 4, 1947 unconfirmed, probably a bull shark Attacked while swimming in a canal 10 miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. His leg was severely bitten. The Jacksonville papers initially and erroneously reported this as a barracuda attack. He died in the hospital after attempts to save him were unsuccessful.
John Kuntsler May 8, 1945 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming in Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina.

[edit] 1930s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, comments
Joseph Troy Jr, 16 July 25, 1936 Great white shark Attacked while swimming at Hollywood Beach, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. He died during surgery.
Jere W. Fountain, 38 September 21, 1935 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming in Browns Inlet on the New River near Onslow Beach, North Carolina.
Richard Clark Best Jr, 8 June 20, 1934 Unconfirmed, probably a bull or tiger shark Killed while standing in the surf at Melbourne, Florida.
Thomas N. Martin, 24 April 10, 1933 Unconfirmed, probably a bull or tiger shark Killed in the surf at Miami Beach, Florida.

[edit] 1920s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, comments
Unidentified boy 1926 Unconfirmed Killed by a shark in Sea Bright, New Jersey.
Charles A. Burke, 18 August 24, 1926 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming in the surf off Seaside, Ocean County, New Jersey.
William J. Goins May 18, 1926 Great white shark Killed while swimming off Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, reportedly by a great white shark.
Professor Winslow November 1924 Unconfirmed Killed after both legs and arms were severely bitten by a shark in Santurce, Puerto Rico.
Miss Bourne December 15, 1922 Unconfirmed Killed after her leg was bitten by a shark in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Dorothy MacLatchie, 18 June 17, 1922 Unconfirmed Killed while floating next to the Municipal Pier, St. Petersburg, Florida.

[edit] 1910s

Name, agedateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Unidentified male April 6, 1919 Unconfirmed Fisherman knocked into the water and killed in the Florida Keys.
J.L. Hanscom October 11, 1916 Unconfirmed Fisherman bitten in the leg by a large shark while assisting in hauling in a fishing net in which the shark was entangled. The incident happened in West Palm Beach, Florida; Hanscom died later that day in a hospital in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Watson "Stanley" Fisher, 24 July 12, 1916 Unconfirmed, experts are divided whether it was a bull or immature great white shark <ref> [13]URL last accessed April 19, 2006 </ref> Attacked while trying to recover Lester Stillwell's body in Matawan Creek, New Jersey. Fisher died at Monmouth Hospital in Long Branch, New Jersey a few hours after the attack. <ref> [14]URL last accessed April 19, 2006 </ref>
Lester Stillwell, 12 July 12, 1916 Unconfirmed, experts are divided whether it was a bull or immature great white shark Killed while swimming with playmates in Matawan Creek, a narrow, brackish, tidal river near Matawan, New Jersey. <ref> Ibid. </ref>
Charles Bruder, 27 July 6, 1916 Unconfirmed, probably a bull or great white shark Killed while swimming approximately 130 yards from shore in Spring Lake, New Jersey. <ref> Ibid. </ref>
Charles Van Sant, 23 July 1, 1916 Unconfirmed, probably a bull or great white shark Attacked while swimming in chest-deep water about 40 yards from shore at Beach Haven, New Jersey. He died on the beach of a severed femoral artery after being pulled from the surf. <ref> Ibid. </ref>
Okomoto March 3, 1914 Unconfirmed Washed into the sea while picking opihi and killed by two large sharks.
John Bloomquist September 23, 1911 Unconfirmed Killed by a shark in the Galveston, Texas ship channel after he jumped overboard to rescue a companion.
Ship's pilot September 20, 1911 Unconfirmed Fell overboard and was killed by a shark while swimming in Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa County, Florida

[edit] 1900s

Name, ageDateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Joseph Blaney 1905-1910 Unconfirmed, probably a great white shark Killed after falling into the water from a small boat in Swampscott, Essex County, Massachusetts. The shark had upset the boat and he fell into the water.
Japanese fisherman January 8, 1908 Unconfirmed Killed by a shark while gathering fish stunned by dynamite in Mana, Kauai, Hawaii.
Japanese fisherman 1907 Unconfirmed Fell into the water and killed by a shark while net fishing near Honomu, Hawaii.
Belton Larkin March 31, 1907 Bull shark Killed after a shark, which had been chasing a tarpon, leapt into his small skiff breaking it apart near Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Florida. Shark bit his side nearly cutting him in two.
Sutton Davis July 29, 1905 Unconfirmed Killed while wading at Davis Shore, east of Beaufort, North Carolina.
Unidentified man 1904 Unconfirmed Man disappeared while swimming off Diamond Head, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. A shark was later caught with the head and body of a man in its gut.
Phil Kitchin ca. 1903 Unconfirmed Killed while fishing at Koko Head, Oahu, Hawaii. His foot was recovered two days later from a shark.
Hawaiian boy August 2, 1902 Unconfirmed Killed while catching crabs at Kalihi, Oahu, Hawaii. Both arms were severed.
Unidentified Coast Guard Personnel 1900-1905 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming at Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina.

[edit] Before 1900

Name, ageDateSpeciesLocation, Comments
Delano Wood, 15 Summer 1895 Unconfirmed, probably a bull shark Killed by a 10 foot long shark while swimming in the Trout River, Panama Park near Jacksonville, Florida.
Captain George Jacob Hanscheldt 1853 or 1854 Unconfirmed Knocked overboard and killed by a shark near Fernandina Beach, Nassau County, Florida.
Charles Chambers 1852 Unconfirmed Killed while wading ashore from a capsized vessel in Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, South Carolina.
James Kinney March 1851 Unconfirmed Killed while swimming in Honolulu Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.
Crew member of a pilot boat ca. 1840 Unconfirmed, probably a Great white shark Killed while treading water awaiting rescue after being accidentally thrown overboard in Charleston Harbor, Charleston County, South Carolina. Witnesses estimated the shark to be 25 feet long.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

<references/>

[edit] References

  • The International Shark Attack File [15] last accessed April 18, 2006
  • Global Shark Attack File [16] last accessed April 18, 2006
  • Southeastern Outdoors Fatal Shark Attacks [17] last accessed April 18, 2006
  • Ralph S. Collier, Shark Attacks of the Twentieth Century|from the Pacific Coast of North America, Scientia Publishing, LLC, ISBN 0-9719717-4-9.
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