Missouri Man Dies at Arkansas Campsite Following Bear Encounter

A man from Missouri died at a campsite in Arkansas, just days after he sent a photo of a bear family near his tent.

The 60-year-old was camping at Sam’s Throne in the Ozark National Forest close to Mount Jewish. His son reported him missing to authorities when he hadn’t heard from him “for several days,” according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, officials found the man’s truck and an abandoned campsite. They noted, “The campground was in disarray, and there were signs of struggle and injuries.” There was also a trail leading from the campsite into the forest.

Authorities discovered the victim’s body not far from the camp. Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler stated that they could not confirm if a bear was responsible for the man’s death until an autopsy by the Arkansas Crime Institute is complete. However, he expressed confidence: “I know without doubt that the bear was in camp with the victim. The injury is absolutely consistent with a bear’s attack. This is a very rare case.”

Initial assessments suggest a young male black bear may have been involved, based on the photos the victim shared with his family. Investigators are collaborating with wildlife officers and hunters, utilizing tracking dogs to locate the bear and examine any potential causes for the attack.

Wheeler cautioned the locals against taking matters into their own hands regarding the bears. “We don’t want this to turn into a situation where anyone can hunt bears since most of them typically avoid humans,” he commented.

While the investigation proceeds, the campsite remains closed. This incident occurred just weeks after a 72-year-old man was killed in Franklin County, marking the first reported bear attack in 25 years.