American Woman Killed in Rare Shark Attack in U.S. Virgin Islands

An American woman was killed Thursday afternoon in a rare shark attack near the shore of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, local officials confirmed.

The victim was identified as Arlene Lillis, 56, of Minnesota. Authorities said she was swimming close to shore along the western coast of the island when the attack occurred. Lillis, a frequent visitor to the territory, was rushed to a local hospital after emergency responders arrived at the scene, but she later died from her injuries.

Emergency crews worked under what officials described as “extreme and difficult circumstances.” Daryl Jaschen, director of the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Agency, praised first responders for their swift and professional response.

Police initially received reports that a second swimmer may have been involved, but a perimeter search found no additional victims. The type of shark involved has not yet been identified, and investigators said it remains unclear what caused the animal to come so close to shore.

Officials emphasized that shark sightings in the region are common, but attacks are extremely rare. According to the Florida-based International Shark Attack File, only four unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded in the U.S. Virgin Islands since 1749. Thursday’s incident was just the second in the past decade.

“Encounters that result in a bite are very rare,” said Nicole Angeli of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. She added that authorities plan to increase safety signage and provide more educational materials at hotels and beaches to help visitors understand how to safely coexist with marine wildlife.

The investigation remains ongoing.