Anina Swan

Alligator in the Ocean illustrates one family’s drive to stop a serial predator and overcome the heart-wrenching struggles that followed.

Anina Swan shares the true account of how she survived the brutality of a serial predator, Ivan, unveiled traumatic amnesia, and rallied help to stop his crime spree. With deep-seated courage, Anina did the unthinkable when she confronted her perpetrator. The result eventually delivered Ivan’s confessions of assaulting hundreds of children, according to local news reports. The chaotic aftermath ultimately led to his arrest and how Anina transformed her pain into purpose and adversity into triumph.

In Alligator in the Ocean, Anina creatively weaves scenes from three different perspectives: one of the child victims, herself as a young mother, and the perpetrator through portions of his handwritten letters that he wrote to his wife, Adele, while incarcerated. Anina illustrates how the wounds of crime reach beyond the victim and spread through family and community. She gives a deeply personal account of how she persevered and overcame what seemed impossible. Then how she transformed—through forgiveness sought and found. This poignant story proves that where there is hope, the crippling effects of violence can be overcome and result in a profound desire to live a better life.

Alligator in the Ocean is a unique story based on a collection of Anina’s journals, court documents, slides and photos, newspaper articles, interviews, and the original letters written by Ivan to his wife while incarcerated.

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