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Tilikum, the killer whale

An orca that had been involved in two previous deaths attacked and killed a trainer at Orlando SeaWorld on Wednesday.

Dawn Brancheau, shown while performing in 2005, was killed by killer whale Tilikum on Wednesday. Brancheau, 40, was one of the park's most experienced trainers.

Dawn Brancheau, shown while performing in 2005, was killed by killer whale Tilikum on Wednesday. Brancheau, 40, was one of the park's most experienced trainers.

Julie Fletcher-AP

Guests pass by a sign noting that the Shamu Show is closed, as they enter the SeaWorld theme park a day after an incident involving the death of a trainer.

Guests pass by a sign noting that the Shamu Show is closed, as they enter the SeaWorld theme park a day after an incident involving the death of a trainer.

John Raoux-AP

Chuck Tompkins, chief animal trainer for SeaWorld, answers questions about Wednesday's incident. He said Thursday that Tilikum will not be isolated from the Orlando location's seven other whales.

Chuck Tompkins, chief animal trainer for SeaWorld, answers questions about Wednesday's incident. He said Thursday that Tilikum will not be isolated from the Orlando location's seven other whales.

John Raoux-AP

This December 2005 photo shows trainer Brancheau during a performance. The medical examiner's office said she probably died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning after the orca dragged her underwater.

This December 2005 photo shows trainer Brancheau during a performance. The medical examiner's office said she probably died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning after the orca dragged her underwater.

Julie Fletcher-AP

As a noontime show at SeaWorld was winding down, Tilikum pulled Brancheau under "and started swimming around with her," one witness reported.

As a noontime show at SeaWorld was winding down, Tilikum pulled Brancheau under "and started swimming around with her," one witness reported.

Red Huber-AP

The Orlando SeaWorld was closed after a trainer's death. In a 2006 profile of trainer Brancheau in the Orlando Sentinel, she acknowledged that her job was dangerous, saying: "You can't put yourself in the water unless you trust them and they trust you."

John Raoux-AP

Tilikum performs in Orlando in this September 2009 photo.

Tilikum performs in Orlando in this September 2009 photo.

Mathieu Belanger-Reuters

Dan Brown, general manager of SeaWorld, center, walks with Kelly Flaherty Clark, left, curator of animal training at SeaWorld, before a news conference.

Dan Brown, general manager of SeaWorld, center, walks with Kelly Flaherty Clark, left, curator of animal training at SeaWorld, before a news conference.

George Skene-AP

Tilikum the orca was one of three orcas blamed for killing a trainer in 1991 and was involved in a 1999 death, when the body of a naked man was found draped over him.

Tilikum the orca was one of three orcas blamed for killing a trainer in 1991 and was involved in a 1999 death, when the body of a naked man was found draped over him.

Red Huber-AP

Police stand at a gate as a killer whale swims in its tank at SeaWorld.

Police stand at a gate as a killer whale swims in its tank at SeaWorld.

Red Huber-AP

SeaWorld general manager Dan Brown reads a statement at a news conference after Brancheau's death. After the death, the San Diego SeaWorld also suspended its killer whale show.

SeaWorld general manager Dan Brown reads a statement at a news conference after Brancheau's death. After the death, the San Diego SeaWorld also suspended its killer whale show.

John Raoux-AP

A spokesman for the Orlando County Sheriff's Office said Brancheau slipped or fell into the whale's tank.

A spokesman for the Orlando County Sheriff's Office said Brancheau slipped or fell into the whale's tank.

John Raoux-AP

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This Story Whale kills trainer as horrified spectators watch Article \| ORLANDO, Fla. -- A SeaWorld killer whale snatched a trainer from a poolside platform Wednesday in its jaws and thrashed the woman around underwater, killing her in front of a horrified audience. It marked the third time the animal had been involved in a human death. 'No sense of foul play' in whale trainer death Tilikum, the killer whale		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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