SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau had always dreamt of working with whales. But a tragic and still unexplained incident would lead to her death.
Regarded as one of the world’s top killer whale trainers, she was working with the 12,500lb sea creature when it grabbed her.
Ahead of the 12-year anniversary of her death, here The Sun Online looks beyond Dawn’s cause of death but instead the life she lived. Born to parents Charles and Marion LoVerde, Dawn was the youngest of six children, nicknamed “little caboose” by her dad.She grew up under the watchful eye of her older siblings, often found in-tow wherever they went.She was a passionate cheerleader and dancer with a natural athleticism that was enhanced by long-distance running and golf.
Dawn went from student body president to prom queen in high school before graduating with a Bachelor of science Degree majoring in psychology and minoring in biology. For two years she worked at the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium where she rubbed shoulders with the show’s stars – sea lions, otters and walruses – and encouraged her friends and family to visit as much as they could.In 1996 she was moved to Shamu Stadium and the hard work she had been putting in for more than a decade paid off.
On February 24, aged 40, Dawn was on the side of the pool with Tilikum during an enrichment exercise.
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