My sister was SeaWorld trainer killed by orca Tilikum, it’s a day that will haunt me forever
SOME 12 years after she was killed by an orca, the family of Dawn Brancheau will never forget the day she died as they are still trying to process the painful loss.
The renowned marine trainer was 40 when she tragically died after SeaWorld's largest killer whale Tilikum dragged her under the water at the end of a training exercise on February 24, 2010.
Dawn's shocking death ignited heated debates around whales in captivity and spurred changes to SeaWorld's safety practices.
Speaking to The Sun Online, her sister Debbie Frogameni reflected on the dark days in the aftermath of losing Dawn and the difficult road in trying to deal with what happened.
"Some days, I think we are still processing her loss," Debbie said.
"Dawn was just so special to so many people and I'm not sure you ever get past losing someone like her.
"I think we do find some comfort knowing that she accomplished and experienced more in her short 40 years than most people who live long lives.
"But that doesn't take away what our family and the world lost that day."
Her beloved sister worked with the whales at SeaWorld for fourteen years before her death.
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Dawn was safety conscious and was known to adore Tilikum and the other animals at the theme park.
Her death left many shocked, and those that knew her personally were heartbroken.
But in the wake of her devastating loss, Dawn's family created an opportunity to continue her legacy and make a difference helping others as she had always intended.
Growing up, Dawn was a nothing short of a high-achiever - being an the avid learner who could do anything she set her mind to.
But more than that, she genuinely wanted to make the world a better place.
At nine years old, Dawn grew an interest in marine life, but it was aged 13 that her destiny was formed.
Dawn was just so special to so many people and I'm not sure you ever get past losing someone like her.
Debbie Frogameni
Watching the Shamu show at SeaWorld Ohio, she was left bewildered and in that one moment decided 'I want to do that'.
Her actions were deliberate in pursuing her dream.
As a model student at high school in Merrillville, Indiana, she did as many extracurricular activities as she could and excelled at many of them.
She graduated from University of South Carolina with degrees in psychology and biology.
Dawn's dream of working at SeaWorld came true in 1994 - spending two years working with otters and sealions before moving into whales.
Debbie said: "We were in awe of Dawn and the way she cared for the animals and interacted with them.
"If we were at SeaWorld for the day, we attended every show that Dawn performed in.
"Watching her perform was sure to bring tears of joy for some of us. She was simply amazing."
Those who knew Dawn say her and Tilikum had a strong bond and the pair worked countless shows.
SHOCKING LOSS
SeaWorld trainers were forbidden from hopping into the water with Tilikum, as they commonly did with the theme park's other orcas.
Only a select few employees, including Dawn, had been trained to work with him from the edge of SeaWorld’s pools.
Tilikum had spent most of his life performing at SeaWorld after being captured in Iceland near Reykjavik in 1983 when he was two years old.
He was moved to Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia, about a year later before moving to SeaWorld in 1992.
On February 24, 2010, for reasons only speculated, Tilikum's behaviour suddenly changed and Dawn was pulled in the water from pool's edge and died.
Some believe, Tilikum had grown frustrated because he wasn’t getting rewarded for tricks he was doing correctly.
Others believe the attack was intentionally carried out after years spent inside the restricted tanks.
Debbie and her four other siblings were in different locations when the news of Dawn's death made its way to her family and friends.
Dawn followed hers and lived each day to the fullest. Now in her name, we hope to continue her legacy of improving the world.
Debbie Frogameni
She said: "I don't think any of us will ever forget where we were when we heard the devastating news. We were all in shock."
As Dawn's death played out so publicly, Debbie said it was a "very difficult" time.
Reporters tried to get the family to talk in the days, weeks and months about their feelings on SeaWorld after they lost Dawn.
But the family did not want to comment on the marine park's safety operations.
She said: "We were constantly seeing pictures of her, having people give their opinions about what happened and why it happened and should trainers be in the water and should whales be in captivity."
Debbie, who works as a dentist, says her family don't have the expertise to be able to comment as to why it happened. Trying to figure it out also doesn't bring Dawn back.
She said: "All we wanted to do was have the space to grieve the loss of our beloved Dawn. "
LECACY LIVES ON
On February 24, it will be twelve years since Dawn was killed but her impact has continued.
The family launched a year after her death to mark her 42nd birthday.
As a family, they've built playgrounds for local communities, planted community gardens, sponsored , helped low-resource areas with tutoring and counselling, supported charities and supplied personal care products to homeless.
For nine years, the foundation hosted two major events - the Dream Big 5K and fun walk through SeaWorld and the Dream Big Walk at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Indiana.
Due to the pandemic, both events were held virtually in their 10th year and have now been put on hold.
So far their work in her memory has raised and disbursed over $1.5 million dollars to make a difference to children and animals in need.
Tens of thousands have benefited from the work the family does to make the world a better place for Dawn.
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Debbie said: "Part of the mission of The Dawn Brancheau Foundation is to inspire others to follow their dreams.
"Dawn followed hers and lived each day to the fullest. Now in her name, we hope to continue her legacy of improving the world."
