WBRZ - Baton Rouge

DUNLAP, Calif. - Central California officials say the 24-year-old victim of a fatal lion attack died quickly of a broken neck.

Fresno County Coroner David Hadden says Dianna Hanson was already dead when the 550-pound lion was tossing her body about its enclosure shortly after the Wednesday afternoon attack.

Hadden said Thursday that bite and claw marks found on Hanson's body were sustained after she died. Haddon said investigators believe the lion broke Haddon's neck with a paw swipe.

Hanson was a volunteer intern at the Cat Haven exotic animal facility in Dunlap, Calif., east of Fresno.