Lane Thomas Graves was killed in an alligator attack at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in June 2016
Credit: Orange County Sheriff’s Office
NEED TO KNOW
- The parents of the 2-year-old boy killed in an alligator attack at Walt Disney World in June 2016 are remembering him on the 10th anniversary of his death
- Matt and Melissa Graves shared a tribute video to son Lane Thomas Graves on the social channels for the Lane Thomas Foundation
- The organization was set up in the child’s honor and supports families of children needing transplants, and also raises awareness for pediatric organ donation
Matt and Melissa Graves are remembering their son, Lane Thomas Graves, a decade after his tragic death.
Lane was 2 years old when he was killed in an alligator attack at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in June 2016.
Lane's loved ones remembered him through a 9-minute-long tribute video shared on the social channels for the Lane Thomas Foundation on Sunday, June 14. The clip features a look at the work the organization has done over the years, as well as throwback photos and videos of Lane.
"Laney, the last ten years have been incredibly painful without you," the post's caption reads. "Yet every passing day brings us one step closer to seeing you again. We have loved you for a thousand years. We will love you for a thousand more."
Two days before the 10-year anniversary of their son's death, Matt and Melissa shared a preview of the tribute video they planned to post to mark the "difficult milestone."
“Lane had a special light about him and cared for his family deeply,” his parents said during an interview with Today. “We simply want to shine a light on our beautiful, blue-eyed boy."
Lane died after being attacked by an alligator while playing in a lagoon near the Disney resort in Lake Buena Vista. His father tried to save him by fighting off the alligator, but was unable to, the Associated Press reported at the time.
Lane's body was recovered by a dive team the following day, and the alligator was later euthanized.
One month after the toddler's death, the family created a foundation in his honor with the intent of keeping Lane's "spirit alive" by providing support to families in crisis.
“It is our hope that through the foundation we will be able to share with others the unimaginable love Lane etched in our hearts,” they said at the time.
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The organization provides financial assistance to families of children who require transplants and raises awareness of the need for organ donation.
In 2021, Matt and Melissa announced their continued efforts in raising awareness of pediatric organ donation. "Because we know the pain of losing a child, we wanted to focus on an issue where we believe we can help prevent other parents from knowing our pain," they said in a statement at the time. "We chose pediatric organ donation because we saw those families struggling with very limited resources to care for their children."
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