St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 4:28 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received several calls of a female who was suspected to be bitten by a shark at Dorcsh Beach.
Marine units as well as Fire and Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the scene. Fire confirmed that the female lost an arm during the attack.
It was reported that there might be a second victim. St. Croix Rescue made a search of the perimeter of the beach area and were unable to confirm that there was another victim.
The female later succumbed to her injures. She was identified by next of kin as 56-year-old Arlene Lillis of Minnesota.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211.
