Missouri man mauled to death at Arkansas campsite after texting family photos of bear

A man from Missouri tragically lost his life after being attacked by a bear at a campsite in Arkansas, just two days after he shared pictures of the bear with his family.

The 60-year-old individual was camping at Sam’s Throne in the Ozark National Forest near Mt. Judea when he became unresponsive to his family’s texts, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Following two days of silence, his son contacted the authorities on Thursday out of concern for his well-being.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered the man’s abandoned vehicle and campsite, which exhibited clear indications of an alarming situation.

“The campsite appeared to have been disturbed, showing signs of a struggle and injuries,” said the sheriff’s office in a press release. “There were also drag marks leading away from the campsite into the nearby woods.”

The victim’s body was discovered a short distance away, exhibiting severe injuries, according to Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler.

Wheeler mentioned that his office cannot confirm the bear’s involvement in the man’s death until the Arkansas Crime Lab completes its autopsy.

“It is clear that a bear was present in the camp with our victim, and the injuries are consistent with a bear attack,” Wheeler noted, emphasizing the unusual nature of this case.

Authorities suspect the bear might have been a young male black bear, as inferred from the photos the man shared with his family just prior to his death.

Investigators are currently working alongside wildlife experts, hunters, and tracking dogs to locate the bear and assess its condition, which may have influenced the attack, according to Wheeler.

He has warned residents against attempting to hunt the bear themselves.

“I do not want this to turn into a free-for-all for anyone spotting a bear, as most bears tend to avoid humans,” he cautioned. “However, also avoid putting yourself or others at risk.”

The Sam’s Throne campground has been temporarily closed while the investigation unfolds.

While bear attacks in Arkansas are exceedingly rare, last month, a 72-year-old man named Vernon Patton was killed in an unprovoked bear attack in Franklin County, the first recorded in the state in 25 years.

The National Park Service indicates that bear attacks typically occur only when an animal feels threatened or is protecting its young or food.

Wheeler stated that the probe into Thursday’s incident is still in its “very early” stages.