Pictured: Boston newlywed killed in shark attack while on honeymoon in Bahamas

Lauren Erickson Van Wart has been named as the victim of the tragedy (LinkedIn)
Lauren Erickson Van Wart has been named as the victim of the tragedy (LinkedIn)

An American tourist killed in a shark attack while paddleboarding in the Bahamas has been pictured for the first time as her identity was confirmed by police.

Lauren Erickson Van Wart, from Massachusetts, was on Wednesday named as victim of Monday's tragedy.

According to the Boston media outlets, Van Wart was a newlywed who was on the trip of a lifetime with her husband when the horror attack happened.

Police said she was paddleboarding with a male relative - believed to be her husband - when she was killed around 11.15am.

The pair were less than a mile off a resort in western New Providence island. The Bahamian capital, Nassau, is also located on the island.

People gather on the resort pier after the fatal shark attack (REUTERS)
People gather on the resort pier after the fatal shark attack (REUTERS)

Police said a lifeguard from a nearby resort rescued them by boat upon seeing what was happening, but Mrs Van Wart suffered "significant" injuries to the right side of her body and was declared dead at the scene despite CPR efforts.

The man she was paddleboarding with was not injured.

It was not immediately clear what type of shark attacked Mrs Van Wart.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences—for this most unfortunate situation," police sergeant Desiree Ferguson said.Royal Bahamas Police Force said on Wednesday its investigations were still underway.