Autopsy released in Palm Beach Zoo fatal tiger attack

Neck injuries suffered in mauling caused death of Stacey Konwiser, report says

Stacey Konwiser was mauled to death by a 12-year-old, 350-pound Malaysian tiger at the Palm Beach Zoo.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ā€“ Her love for tigers was such that she had their paws tattooed on her body. Stacey Konwiser likely never thought that the very same animal she loved would bite and crush her neck, causing her death, according to an autopsy report obtained Thursday by Local 10 News.

The 37-year-old Palm Beach Zoo employee died April 15 after she was attacked by a 12-year-old, 350-pound male Malaysian tiger in the night house where tigers sleep and eat.

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An autopsy performed by Dr. Reinhard Motte on the day after the attack revealed that injuries to Konwiser's neck from the mauling resulted in her death.

File: Stacey Konwiser Autopsy Report

The autopsy revealed that Konwiser suffered "penetrating puncture wounds, abrasions, contusions and crush injuries" to her neck, which ultimately led to her death.

Konwiser also suffered "multiple abrasions, contusions and puncture wounds, consistent with claw injuries."

The autopsy reveals in great detail the extent of Konwiser's injuries, noting the four paired puncture wounds -- 3 centimeters deep and 2 centimeters long -- to her neck. The injuries to her neck transfixed her spine.

Konwiser also had two superficial puncture wounds on her left breast, contusions on her knees, abrasions and puncture wounds on her back, and abrasions and contusions on her left forehead.

A previously released inspection report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that Konwiser "did not follow established safety procedures."

Konwiser's manner of death is listed as accidental.

The autopsy report also revealed that Konwiser had tiger paw prints tattooed on her left foot, as well as a pair of tiger paws tattooed on her lower back.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.