BAREFOOT BAY , Fla., Dec. 8 (UPI) — A man on the run from police after allegedly burglarizing multiple homes in Barefoot Bay, Fla., was found dead of an apparent alligator attack, police said.
Authorities discovered the body of 22-year-old Matthew Riggins on Nov. 23, 10 days after he told his girlfriend he and an accomplice were planning to burglarize homes in Brevard County. The two suspects were last seen running from police to a wooded area. Riggins’ girlfriend reported him missing the following day.
Officials identified Riggins’ remains Monday.
Dive teams recovering the body encountered the aggressive alligator suspected of killing Riggins. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission caught and euthanized the animal.
“When the body was found, it had injuries that were consistent with an alligator attack,” said Todd Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said. “We had trappers euthanize the gator and when we opened it up, there were some remains inside that were consistent with injuries found on the body.”
Investigators said the cause of Riggins’ death was drowning, and bite marks on his body convinced them the alligator dragged him underwater.
His alleged accomplice has been captured but remains uncooperative in the investigation, deputies said.
