Man sent photos of bear at his campsite. He was found dead days later, AR cops say
UPDATE: The bear believed to be responsible for the fatal mauling was killed near the site of the attack, according to an Oct. 5 news release from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. A necropsy is being performed to confirm it was the same bear. The original story continues below.
A 60-year-old Missouri man was found dead near his campsite in Arkansas with “extensive injuries” consistent with a bear attack, authorities said.
The man’s son called authorities Oct. 2 after not hearing from his father “for a couple of days,”according to a news release from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
When a deputy arrived at the Sam’s Throne campsite to check on him, he found “evidence of a struggle and injury” with “drag marks leading from the campground into the woods,” according to the release.
Investigators found the man dead several yards away, authorities said.
According to the sheriff’s office, two days prior to his body being found, the victim sent pictures to his family of a bear, which appeared to be a young male, in his campsite. “Until the Arkansas Crime Lab completes the autopsy, we can’t 100% say it was a bear, but everything strongly indicates it,” Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said.
Wheeler called the incident “a highly unusual case” and stated that they are looking for the bear so they can “test it for anything that may have led to the encounter.”
“I don’t want this to become open season on any bear that someone may see, as most bears fear humans and run away,“ Wheeler said, before cautioning people to not put themselves in danger.
Wheeler said the sheriff’s office is still “very early in the investigation.” The victim’s name was not released.
Sam’s Throne is a recreation area in the Ozark National Forest near Mt. Judea, Arkansas.
Second fatal attack in one month
This is Arkansas’s second fatal bear attack in the span of a month, following what is believed to be a stretch of zero reported attacks in more than 25 years.
Vernon Patton, 72, was mauled in an unprovoked attack by a 70-pound black bear Sept. 3 in Franklin County, McClatchy News previously reported. The bear tested negative for rabies and distemper.
Patton died from his injuries Sept 15, according to the Arkansas Times.
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening. Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.
Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.
Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Man sent photos of bear at his campsite. He was found dead days later, AR cops say."
