Lauren Erickson Van Wart: Boston woman killed in shark attack while honeymooning at Bahamas resort

NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS: A 44-year-old woman named Lauren Erickson Van Wart was killed in an unexpected shark attack while paddleboarding near a beach resort in the Bahamas on Monday, December 4.

The woman from Boston, Massachusetts, was visiting the New Providence resort with her newly married husband when she was tragically killed in a shark attack, per the Royal Bahamas Police Force who shared the news in a press release, per CNN.

How did Lauren Erickson Van Wart die?

The authorities said in the news release that Lauren lost her life after being bitten by a shark while “paddle boarding away from the shoreline.”

They said, “Preliminary reports indicate that the victim, along with a male relative, was paddle boarding away from the shoreline in waters at the rear of a resort in western New Providence when she was bitten by a shark.”

A lifeguard at the resort, after witnessing the horror, tried to rescue the woman along with her male relative by quickly sailing on a boat.

The police said that the lifeguard even administered CPR to the bitten woman but it was of no avail. The woman died shortly after 11 am local time.

The police added in the news release, “The victim suffered significant trauma to the right side of her body. She was examined on scene by emergency medical technicians, who concluded that she showed no vital signs of life.”

While the authorities initially did not release the identity of the woman, the news outlet The Mirror has identified her as Lauren Erickson Van Wart who was holidaying with her husband in the luxury resort.

The outlet reported that Lauren worked as a maths specialist for Curriculum Associates. a firm which provides teaching resources to students and teachers. 

The CEO of the company, Rob Waldron, mourned her death and said, “Our team is heartbroken and grieving the loss of a dear and trusted colleague and friend.”

He continued, “Lauren was a beloved member of our math editorial team, and she infused her deep dedication to students and educators into every material she touched.”

Lauren's husband was not injured in the incident. The authorities are yet to identify the species of shark that attacked her. 

Resort pays tribute to Lauren Erickson Van Wart

Sandals Resort, where the newlyweds were spending their honeymoon, paid tribute to Lauren Erickson Van Wart. Expressing their "deepest condolences", a spokesperson told The Mirror, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a guest while on a paddle-boarding activity nearly a mile from the shore. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones."

The spokesperson continued, "We remain in close contact with them and are providing all support possible during this difficult time. Out of respect for our guests’ privacy and confidentiality, we cannot share further information at this time.”