A California bodyboarder was attacked by a great white shark on Christmas Eve and died within minutes, officials say.
Tomas Abraham Butterfield, 42, was bitten in the head, chest, and shoulder after deciding to go boogie boarding that morning in Morro Bay. He was visiting his mother and brother for the holidays.
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Butterfield was pulled to shore by a surfer after finding him face down with his board floating near him.
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Butterfield was announced dead at the scene, with newly released coroner reports stating he died from “complications of multiple penetrating blunt force traumatic injuries.” DNA samples were taken at the scene to confirm the injuries were from a great white shark.
(Fox News Digital/Carly Ortiz-Lytle)
A piece of what is believed to be a shark tooth was found embedded in his body, according to a sheriff’s detective report obtained via a public records request by The Tribune of San Luis Obispo County.
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The coroner’s report also concluded Butterfield had suffered various injuries, including a fractured skull, crushed ribs, and major damage to the inferior vena cava.
(Fox News Digital/Carly Ortiz-Lytle)
The shark’s size and age have yet to be confirmed. However, detective reports have stated the one bite mark had an approximate radius of 16 inches.
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It is unclear whether the shark made a single attack or several.
