How common are shark attacks in the U.S. Virgin Islands, especially around St. Croix?

Shark attacks in the U.S. Virgin Islands are **very rare**, with only a handful of documented incidents over many decades, including a diver lost to oceanic whitetip sharks in 1972 and a non-fatal nurse shark bite in 2020 off St. Croix.

Do authorities know what type of shark was involved in this attack?

Authorities have **not yet identified the shark species** involved; the Department of Planning and Natural Resources confirmed the death was from a shark bite but said the species could not be determined.

What safety or investigative steps are local officials taking after the attack at Dorsch Beach?

Local police and government officials have launched an **ongoing investigation**, requested information from the public, searched the surrounding beach area for additional victims, and are coordinating with rescue and law enforcement agencies while planning to release further information in official briefings.

Who was the victim, and what is known about her connection to St. Croix?

The victim was **Arlene Lillis**, a 56-year-old woman from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, who owned a home on St. Croix and had recently begun living there as a winter resident, where neighbors described her as a kind, active nature lover who enjoyed hiking, the water, and snorkeling.

How does this incident relate to recent shark attacks in the United States more broadly?

This attack is the **second confirmed fatal U.S. shark attack in under a month**, following a separate fatal incident off California, highlighting a cluster of rare but high-profile shark-related deaths in a short time span.

3 sources

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1M ago

Minnesota Woman Killed in Shark Attack at St. Croix

A 56-year-old Minnesota woman, Arlene Lillis, died after a shark severed her arm while swimming at Dorsch Beach in St. Croix; local officials are investigating.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Arlene Lillis, 56, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was attacked while swimming at Dorsch Beach, St. Croix; emergency services received multiple calls about 4:28 p.m.

Witnesses and a vacationing registered nurse swam to assist; firefighters confirmed she lost an arm and she later died despite urgent rescue efforts.

Police said the type of shark is unknown; the attack is under investigation and authorities initially searched for a possible second victim but found none.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach expressed condolences, praising bystanders and first responders for quick action amid the traumatic incident.

This is the second confirmed fatal U.S. shark attack in under a month, following a separate California fatality; sharks common to the region include Caribbean reef and tiger species.

Written using shared reports from

3 sources

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Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources frame the story as a visceral, tragic human-interest piece that emphasizes graphic injury and bystander heroism. Editorial choices — a blunt headline and vivid verbs ("ripped her arm off"), prioritized eyewitness quotes and official condolences — foreground emotional impact while omitting broader context such as shark-risk statistics or safety guidance.

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FAQ

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: Shark attacks in the U.S. Virgin Islands are **very rare**, with only a handful of documented incidents over many decades, including a diver lost to oceanic whitetip sharks in 1972 and a non-fatal nurse shark bite in 2020 off St. Croix.
Sources:
Divernet
: Authorities have **not yet identified the shark species** involved; the Department of Planning and Natural Resources confirmed the death was from a shark bite but said the species could not be determined.
Sources:
ABC News
: Local police and government officials have launched an **ongoing investigation**, requested information from the public, searched the surrounding beach area for additional victims, and are coordinating with rescue and law enforcement agencies while planning to release further information in official briefings.
Sources:
Divernet
: The victim was **Arlene Lillis**, a 56-year-old woman from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, who owned a home on St. Croix and had recently begun living there as a winter resident, where neighbors described her as a kind, active nature lover who enjoyed hiking, the water, and snorkeling.
Sources:
ABC News
: This attack is the **second confirmed fatal U.S. shark attack in under a month**, following a separate fatal incident off California, highlighting a cluster of rare but high-profile shark-related deaths in a short time span.
Sources:
Fox 26 Houston