On Friday, February 15, 2019 at 5:47 am, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Communications received a 911 call about an animal attack on Indian Run Road in Pantego. Beaufort County EMS and Paramedics arrived to find 77 yr old Brenda Hamilton of Pantego suffering from severe injuries as a result of the attack.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Investigators along with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Officers and Biologist responded to the scene to investigate what kind of animal attacked Hamilton. At this time preliminary DNA testing facilitated by NC Wildlife Biologist has eliminated any wild animals indigenous to the area. Beaufort County Sheriff’s Investigators are continuing to investigate to determine which, if any domestic K9s in the area may have attacked Hamilton.
As of 2:00 pm this afternoon Mrs. Hamilton’s condition was listed as critical by Vidant Pitt Hospital.
Update & Correction
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has learned this morning that Brenda Hamilton has died.
This office previously received information from the NC Wildlife Resources, that the preliminary DNA testing found domestic K9 DNA on the victim’s clothing. Investigators learned this morning that information was incorrect, K9 DNA was found on Mrs. Hamilton’s clothing, however the testing does not differentiate between wild K9s such as wolf or coyote indigenous to the area and domestic K9s that may live in the area. At present Sheriff’s Investigators are collecting DNA from domestic K9s in the area for further testing.
