Disney World alligator attack: Body of toddler dragged into lagoon has been found and named

The tragic discovery was made after officers said there was "no question" the little boy, named tonight as Lane Graves, had died

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A two-year-old boy who died after being dragged into the water at Walt Disney World resort by an alligator has tonight been named.
Lane Graves was attacked by the animal as he paddled on the shore of the five-star Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida last night.
His parents Matt and Melissa Graves watched in terror as the reptile - believed to be between 4ft and 7ft long - clenched its jaws around him, before pulling him into the Seven Seas Lagoon near the premier hotel.
Speaking during a live press conference, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said: “There is no doubt in my mind the child was drowned by the alligator”.
He confirmed members of the diving team discovered the boy’s body “intact” at around 1.45am local time.
Speaking at the press conference Sheriff Demings said: "At about 1.45am members of the Orange County Sheriff Department dive team located what is believed the remains of the deceased two-year-old.”

He said authorities will now look to identify the alligator that drowned the boy and will “remove” it from the water, as he revealed a fifth animal had been killed in the search.
Read more: Disney World hotel alligator attack: Four alligators killed in search for two-year-old boy dragged into water
Sheriff Demings added: “The family says they do appreciate all of the prayers that have gone forward to allow those of us who are working on the professional side to do our jobs to recover their son.

Officers during the search for Lane Graves at the Seven Seas Lagoon

“They move forward at this time for a proper burial."
The family, from Elk Horne, Nebraska, had been on holiday at the resort since Sunday and were at an outdoor movie night when the tragic event happened.

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One hotel guest told the Orlando Sentinel that he and his family were playing near the beach when the attack took place.

Police announce they have found the body of boy dragged into the water by an alligator at a Disney Resort in Florida

"I'm just here to say a prayer," the guest said. "I can't imagine what those parents are going through. It's been one tough week in Orlando."
The man-made Seven Seas Lagoon is surrounded by a beach and several outdoor pools and bars.

Wildlife officials move an alligator into a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon

A number of families were outside enjoying "Movie Night" at the resort during the brutal encounter.

The boy's family was at a movie night outdoors at the Grand Floridian resort when the tragedy unfolded at around 9pm.
The boy waded into about a foot of water in a lagoon, authorities have said.

The Seven Seas Lagoon at the Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Witnesses, including the boy's horrified parents, tried to save him.
Read more : Disney World hotel alligator attack: Four alligators killed in search for two-year-old boy dragged into water
His father jumped in and tried to pry the gator's mouth open and his mother jumped in too.

A stock image of an alligator — The alligator, not pictured, took the boy down into the water

Sheriff Deming earlier told reporters it was a "complicated event" but that 50 officers were searching the man-made lake and a marine unit was using sonar.
He added: "Disney is doing all it can to make the family comfortable."
Disney World announced this afternoon that all beaches, ferry boats and marinas are closed until further notice.

Desperate wildlife officials move an alligator into a boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon

Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort Jacquee Wahler said in an earlier statement: "Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family.
“We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."
It is not the first time an alligator has attacked a child at the Disney World resort in Florida.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida, USA — The Disney World resort in Orlando

In October 1986 eight-year-old Paul Santamaria, from Bristol, New Hampshire, was bitten by a reptile at the Fort Wilderness hotel.
A doctor said the alligator inflicted ''four or five superficial lacerations'' on the boy who escaped after his older sister managed to pull him from the creature's grip.