Missouri Man Found Dead After Apparent Bear Attack

A 60-year-old Missouri man was found dead several yards from his campsite at Sam’s Throne in the Ozark National Forest near Mt. Judea after his son requested a welfare check when he stopped communicating. Investigators found a disturbed campsite, signs of a struggle and drag marks into the woods, and the victim had extensive wounds consistent with a large carnivore attack. Family members said the man had sent photos days earlier showing a young male bear in his camp, and Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said everything strongly indicates a bear attack, though the Arkansas State Crime Lab must complete the autopsy and DNA testing to confirm. Search teams from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, other federal and local agencies, and local hunters with dogs and traps are working to locate the bear, and Sam’s Throne Campground has been closed. Officials say any bear found and linked to the killing will be euthanized and tested, and they warned the public to be cautious while noting most bears avoid people though predatory behavior can occur.