The 69-year-old was found dead in the Spanish Wells community of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on Tuesday.

An alligator appeared to be guarding the woman's body when she was found, at the edge of a lagoon bordering a golf course.

The alligator hampered rescue efforts but was safely removed before the woman's body was recovered.

The woman's dog was found safe, according to Major Angela Viens, a spokesperson for Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

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A post-mortem examination is due to take place.

This is the second fatal alligator attack in Beaufort County in the past year, according to officials from the sherrif's office.

An 88-year-old woman was attacked by an alligator at a lagoon near her home in Sun City in August 2022.