World

Dawn Brancheau Autopsy Results: Tilikum's Trainer's Injuries

by Yuliya Talmazan | March 31, 2010 at 03:36 pm

5879 views | 3 Recommendations | 8 comments

Dawn Brancheau's Violent Death

The results of the autopsy of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau have been released today, suggesting Brancheau died of blunt force injuries. The trainer was killed by killer whale named Tilikum during February 24th show at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.

It is reported that Blancheau's injures included broken jaw, partially fractured vertebra and dislocated joints. She died from drowning and blunt force trauma to her head, neck and torso. Her ribs were fractured and her left ear was dislocated. The autopsy also found evidence of a torn scalp and facial cuts.

On February 24, Tilikum grabbed Brancheau by her long ponytail and tossed her around in the pool as horrified audience looked on. The trainer was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived. Brancheau's death has been ruled an accident.

Brancheau was an experienced trainer who worked with Tilikum before. Since Brancheau died, Tilikum was removed from the show.

It is alleged that a video of the incident exists, but it is not being released because of its violent nature. Brancheau's family wants the video to stay private. But, the video might be on its way to becoming public unless a judge intervenes. Family lawyers insist that keeping the tape private is part of the family's right to privacy.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Patti G (not verified)

at 05:59 on April 1st, 2010

The animal should be Euthanized. Any animal being a dog,bear,wolf,monkey etc that has attacked a human should be put to sleep. Once they taste blood it will continue other reports indicated that her arm was severed as well. Because he is worth a lot of money to the park,they should way their values. Do the right thing so others will not be hurt!

Ellen R. (not verified)

at 11:43 on April 2nd, 2010

But Tilikum never wanted to splash humans and to live in captivity!It is NOT okay to kill him now.Do we know if he suffered from pain? Do we know if he suffers from depression?And and and...I am sure that SeaWorld is aware of all the risks...The trainers, too....Orcas are not humans. Therefore we are not allowed to kill them.The orca would even not know what for...

ad brod (not verified)

at 03:22 on April 29th, 2010

you're just plain wrong.People who make monkeys dance for peanuts should be euthanized. (the words 'monkey', 'dance' and 'peanuts' are interachangeable with any animal/action/reward)The clue is in the name 'killer whale'

Johnny Salami (not verified)

at 07:47 on April 1st, 2010

They should euthanize the whale?? What have you been smoking? It's a wild animal, not a pet dog.This animal is only dangerous to people so stupid they get in the water with it. It's 12000 pounds and they call it a Killer Whale. Get it?Maybe they should euthanize the ones who capture these whales, put them in small tanks, fool around while dressed like seals (they're favorite food) and then act surprised when someone gets hurt.When my cat scratches I'm smart enough to know he doesn't want to be played with any more.

Stefani (not verified)

at 11:35 on April 1st, 2010

@ Johnny Salami: Amen.

Dawn Dunsmore (not verified)

at 19:17 on April 3rd, 2010

Ditto on Johnny's comment.... so sad to think that people do not get what this is really about! Urggg!

Kim Cuva (not verified)

at 05:44 on April 17th, 2010

Ditto again on Johnny's comments!!! You said it so well and it's because of people like Patti that think that way that we are going to and already are missing out on a lot of wild life. Just because we are able to (as we are supposed to be the "superior beings" to animals) does not give us the God given right to kill wild animals for doing what some of us may percive as wrong. We build home's on the only land they have ever know; the only places they have ever called home then get upset when they come up to our back door looking for food and shelter? Go Figure!!! We lock them up in cages they get taunted, and picked at day after day and we wonder why they go balistic one day.......Well Get a Clue people and quite being so Blood thirsty. That trainer knew what she was doing and knew the risk and as an animal lover of all animals big and small I know she would not want him put to death for being himself!!! She died doing something she loved more than anything; how many of us get a chance to live that life????

Jeff Blackhurst (not verified)

at 16:01 on April 28th, 2010

Do you really know any history on Tilikum? Tilikum was born in captivity, NO PARK IN THE WORLD CAPTURES WILD WHALE KILLERS(that was their name originally) and tries to use them in shows. Yes, it was stupid of her to get into the water with a Whale that has already killed one human being that happened to wander into his pool. The park has had a policy in place to protect the trainers. The trainers are supposed to wear caps that go with the suits(that actually are supposed to lool like the Whales themselves, NOT seals) but they have gotten away from them because they want to look pretty/handsome when they are doing their shows. "The caps make them look dorky" or so I have been told by friends that work there. The problem is that Tilikum is a very social Whale Killer and he will not do well out of the show. He does breed from time to time when the females are in season, but that is not very often. He is confined to his pool and if you are thinking "Why don't they release him into the ocean?" I will remind you that he was born in captivity and has been pretty much hand fed his entire life. He would not survive in the wild, because he did not get the schooling that the other Whale Killers get from their mothers when they are babies in their family pods. So he will rot away in a solitary confinement pool with conjugal visits from time to time. What do you think would be better for him? I guess life in rison is not so bad, if you get a little tail every now and then.