ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced its investigation was complete, regarding the SeaWorld trainer killed by a whale. The biggest development was that the surveillance video showed Dawn Brancheau tried to get away from the whale several times. The 43-page report (read it) describes what happened.
READ REPORT: Final Sheriff's Office Investigative Report VIDEO REPORT: Graphic Whale Attack
Some details are very graphic, with new information that was not previously released.
On February 24, a day with the whales turned into a nightmare for tourists and SeaWorld staff. It ended with the violent death of 40-year-old Dawn Brancheau, who worked there for 15 years.
The final report of that day from the Orange County Sheriff's Office contains statements from witnesses, along with descriptions of video that captured Tilikum attacking the veteran trainer. In the report, there are logged times from an underwater camera in the Dine with Shamu restaurant.
Dawn Brancheau can be seen underneath Tilikum during the incident. Once Dawn was taken underwater by her pony tail, it shows her in the water, but still somewhat free from Tilikum. Tilikum can be seen striking her as she tries to swim to the surface, but he still managed to get Brancheau in his mouth.
In the video description, Tilikum changes swimming directions and Brancheau can be seen in his mouth, but she appears lifeless. The report says that Tilikum had to be corralled into three different tanks, where the third tank was drained. As Tilikum was beached out of the water, a net was used to keep him still while the trainer was released.
WFTV spoke to the Orange County Sheriff's Office and officials said the actual videos of Dawn Brancheau's death are still sealed. WFTV is not part of the effort to make the videos public.
Previous Stories: April 26, 2010: Whale Trainer Death Prompts Congressional Hearing March 31, 2010: Autopsy: SeaWorld Trainer Died Of Trauma, Drowning March 25, 2010: Deadline Set For Whale Video Release Motions March 24, 2010: Judge Yet To Decide On SeaWorld Whale Video March 22, 2010: Legal Fight Over Whale Attack Video Not Over March 9, 2010: PETA Flies Banner Over SeaWorld Demanding Whale Release March 9, 2010: SeaWorld, Family Want Whale Attack Video Suppressed March 4, 2010: 911 Calls Released In SeaWorld Trainer Death March 2, 2010: Witnesses: Whale Refused To Unclench Teeth February 28, 2010: SeaWorld's Whale Show Resumes After Trainer Death February 26, 2010: Ex-Head Trainer At SeaWorld: "She Made A Mistake" February 25, 2010: Autopsy: SeaWorld Trainer Died From "Traumatic Injuries" February 25, 2010: PETA Speaks Out On SeaWorld Trainer Death February 25, 2010: Personal Story: SeaWorld Trainer Dawn Brancheau February 25, 2010: Should Tilikum Be Returned To The Wild? February 25, 2010: Slain Whale Trainer Had True Passion For Job February 25, 2010: SeaWorld Guests React Day After Whale Attack February 25, 2010: Whale Pulls Trainer Off Platform By Hair In Fatal Attack February 24, 2010: Whale Kills Female Trainer At SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium
WFTV
