BAREFOOT BAY, Fla. — A Florida man, that police said was wanted for burglarizing a Florida neighborhood, was eaten by an 11-foot alligator while hiding out from sheriff deputies.
Matthew Riggins, 22, was on the run from Brevard Sheriff Deputies on the night of November 13. Deputies were unable to locate Riggins and called off the search. The next day, Riggins’ family reported him missing.
Matthew Riggins, 22
Riggins and a compliance were reportedly wearing all black as they escaped from deputies, k-9 units and a helicopter. Investigators said Riggins called his girlfriend and told her he would be stealing from homes in the Barefoot Bay community. He also said they were being chased and were lying low.
His body was found 10 days later near a neighborhood pond. Authorities said Riggins was hiding from police in a Florida pond, when a gator struck.
“He probably went into the lake to hide from the officers and the dog, and at some point he came across that gator,” Maj. Tod Goodyear told Central Florida News 13.
As deputies searched the pond they found the 11-foot gator in question. It had to be euthanized.
Inside the animal’s stomach the Medical Examiner found proof of how Riggins was killed, Central Florida News 13 reports.
Some neighbors aren’t that sympathetic and said the suspect got what he deserved.
“I would say it was poetic justice, if you want to sit there and steal from people,” said neighbor Chuck Stokes.
Deputies said they have the second suspect but he hasn’t been cooperating. That person has yet to be charged.
