HEARTBROKEN friends of a US tourist eaten by a shark while on a diving holiday have revealed a new theory.
The remains of Colleen Monfore, 68, from South Dakota were found inside a shark by a horrified fisherman, after she was swept away by strong currents while diving.
The 68-year-old American was on a diving trip with her friends around the Pulau Reong Island when the incident happened on September 26.
Her friends now believe that Colleen suffered some sort of medical episode before she ended up inside the shark’s stomach.
Long time friends Rick and his wife Kim Sass, who have run a diving shop for more than 40 years, said they didn’t believe it was shark that killed Colleen.
Rick who has been in contact with family, told the New York Post: “We do not believe this was a shark attack.
“Mike [her husband] thinks she suffered some kind of medical issue in the water.
“They dove a massive numbers of trips with us over 30 years. Bali, Philippines, Bikini Atoll, you name it.
“She knew what she was doing.”
Taking to Facebook, Kim added: “There was a down current at the turnaround site, but it was manageable.
“I’ve easily done 1000+ dive[s] with this gracious woman … I don’t believe it was the environment and certainly not a shark that ended her life.”
An experienced diver, Rick added that shark attacks against divers were extremely rare.
He said: “Sharks are not that way. We’ve dove with hammerheads, tiger sharks, bull sharks.
“You have to give them respect and be cautious, but they won’t just attack you.”
It’s not yet clear how exactly Colleen Monfore died.
Colleen was dragged away by the strong currents with her desperate group, and the guide unable to pull her back to the boat on September 26.
Rescue teams searched for eight days before finally giving up on October 3 due to the dangerous conditions at sea and the low chance of finding the tourist.
Tragically, a fisherman in the neighbouring country of East Timor found human remains in the belly of a shark on Sunday.
The fisherman said: “The shark was caught but it was not in normal health. I thought it had swallowed plastic or a fishing net.
“It was cut open to find the problem and inside there were the remains of a woman.”
Officials in East Timor are contacting the coast guard in Indonesia.
They also appealed for details of anyone with missing friends or relatives due to the popularity of diving in the nearby islands, that are Indonesian territory.
Muhammad Saleh Goro, Head of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for the Management of the Alor Islands Marine Park and surrounding ocean, said: “We have coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Dili, and the KBRI has confirmed the truth of this information.
“The body of the woman was found in a shark in Timor Leste. It was not in Indonesian territory.
“We are now investigating the case further to confirm if they are the remains of anyone reported missing in Indonesia.
“From the diving suit worn by the victim, it is suspected that they were a diver.
“The results of the investigation will be published soon after more complete information is available.
“The anecdotal reports from Timor Leste are that the victim in the shark was foreign female.”
