The family of a resident of the Spanish Lakes Fairways retirement community in Fort Pierce is suing the development’s owner for wrongful death after their mother was attacked and drowned by an alligator last year.

The estate of Gloria Serge filed the lawsuit on Jan. 25 in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Lucie County, alleging that the owner and operator of the senior housing complex, Wynne Building Corp., was responsible for the events leading up to her death. Gloria Serge’s five children are seeking damages of more than $50,000.

“On or about Feb. 20, 2023, Gloria Serge was walking her dog near the retention pond behind her home within the Spanish Lakes Fairways development when she was attacked by a large, nuisance alligator,” the lawsuit states. “The alligator grabbed Ms. Serge by the foot and dragged her into the pond where it disfigured her body and drowned her. Ms. Serge died as a result of this violent attack.”