Two-year-old Lane Thomas Graves tragically lost his life in an alligator attack at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa ten years ago. His parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, are dedicated to preserving Lane’s memory. Just before the anniversary of his passing, they shared with The Today Show that Lane had a special light and deep care for his family.
In honor of the 10-year milestone, the couple has released a nine-minute memorial video produced by Today to commemorate Lane’s life. The video will be accessible on the Lane Thomas Foundation’s website. Matt expressed their commitment to turning the tragedy into something positive for many families as they promised Lane during his wake.
The devastating incident occurred on June 14, 2016, while the family was vacationing from Nebraska at the resort in Lake Buena Vista. Lane was playing in a lagoon when the alligator attacked, leading to a tragic outcome despite his father’s efforts to save him. Lane’s body was discovered the next day, prompting his parents to establish the Lane Thomas Foundation to support families in crisis.
The foundation, founded in 2016, aims to honor Lane’s spirit by offering financial aid to families of children in need of transplants and promoting organ donation awareness. The Graves family, having gone through a traumatic experience, understands the importance of providing resources to help families stay united during challenging times.
Despite the ongoing pain of losing Lane, Melissa and Matt welcomed their third child, Christian Lane Graves, two years after the tragic incident. They believe that Lane continues to watch over his siblings as their guardian angel. In response to Lane’s death, wildlife officials removed 250 alligators from Disney properties in 2021.