NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Police confirmed Wednesday that died from blunt force injuries caused by an alligator and subsequently drowned, following a 12-day search that ended in tragedy.

At a news conference outside NOPD headquarters, Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the Orleans Parish Coroner determined the cause of death after completing an autopsy of the body found Tuesday in a lagoon near Bryan’s home in the Michoud area of New Orleans East.

“We know that these are difficult outcomes and we still have quite a grieving community and a grieving family,” Kirkpatrick said. “This investigation does continue.”

‘Nuisance’ alligators to be removed

Kirkpatrick said she has formally requested the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to begin eradicating what she called “nuisance alligato

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