Dawn Brancheau

Dawn Therese Brancheau (née LoVerde, April 16, 1969 – February 24, 2010) was an American senior animal trainer at SeaWorld. She worked with orcas at SeaWorld Orlando for fifteen years, including a leading role in revamping the Shamu show, and was SeaWorld's poster girl.[1]

Dawn Brancheau
Dawn Brancheau - Riders on the Storm (cropped).jpg
Dawn Brancheau at the Believe show, at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida, in 2006
Born
Dawn Therese LoVerde

April 16, 1969
DiedFebruary 24, 2010 (aged 40)
Cause of deathDrowning and blunt-force trauma
Resting placeHoly Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth Township, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationSeaWorld trainer
Years active1994–2010
Spouse(s)
Scott Brancheau (m. 1996–2010)
Parent(s)Marion LoVerde
Charles LoVerde

Brancheau was killed by an orca, Tilikum, becoming the only SeaWorld trainer killed by an animal. However, her death was the third fatality associated with Tilikum, and many other trainers have been seriously injured by orcas.[2]

Dawn Brancheau Media

References

  1. "Years of troubled waters for SeaWorld's killer whale shows". News Advance. March 17, 2016 – via Associated Press.[dead link]
  2. SeaWorld trainer killed by killer whale. CNN. February 25, 2010. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/24/killer.whale.trainer.death/index.html. Retrieved March 11, 2010.