Man Sent Photos of Bear to Family from Campsite. He Was Found Dead 2 Days Later

A man was recovered dormant astatine a campsite successful Arkansas pursuing a suspected bear attack.

Authorities responded to a use cheque petition astatine Sam’s Throne Campground connected Thursday, Oct. 2, per a press release from nan Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO). According to nan release, nan caller stated that his begetter was camping there, but he had not heard from him “for a mates days.”

A lawman promptly visited nan campgrounds, wherever he located nan man's motortruck and campsite. 

“The campsite had been disturbed and location was grounds of a struggle and injury. There were besides resistance marks starring from nan campground into nan woods,” per nan release.

Investigators were called to nan site, and they yet located nan assemblage of nan 60-year-old Missouri man “several yards” extracurricular nan campsite. 

“The assemblage of nan deceased had extended injuries accordant pinch those expected from a ample carnivore attack,” per nan release.

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Additionally, investigators said nan unfortunate had sent photos of a “young antheral bear” adjacent his campsite to his family 2 days anterior connected Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Sheriff Glenn Wheeler stated that his agency cannot decidedly authorities that nan man — whose sanction has not been released astatine this clip — was killed by a bear "until nan Arkansas Crime Lab completes nan autopsy,” but added that “everything powerfully indicates it,” per nan release. 

“We are attempting to find nan carnivore and dispose of it truthful nan Game and Fish Commission tin trial it for thing that whitethorn person led to nan encounter. We cognize without a uncertainty that a carnivore was successful campy pinch our unfortunate and nan injuries perfectly are accordant pinch a carnivore attack,” he continued.

He added, “This is simply a highly different case. We are very early successful nan investigation and hunt and will update arsenic we can.”

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Wheeler besides cautioned campers and hikers successful nan area to “be alert and usage caution, particularly pinch children,” adding that “history tells america that erstwhile a carnivore becomes predatory, it often continues those behaviors."

The U.S. Forest Service has temporarily closed Sam's Throne Campground for nan information of nan public, per nan release.

PEOPLE reached retired to nan NCSO for remark connected Friday, Oct. 3, but did not person an contiguous response.

In a connection to PEOPLE, nan U.S. Forest Service said they are "aware that a fatality perchance owed to a carnivore onslaught occurred connected Thursday, Oct. 2" astatine nan campground, and confirmed that nan NCSO and Forest Service rule enforcement officers "are responding."

The astir caller incident would people nan 2nd fatal carnivore onslaught successful a period successful nan authorities of Arkansas. Vernon Patton, 72, of Franklin County, died aft being mauled by a carnivore while he was spreading gravel connected a road.

While speaking to The Arkansas Times, Keith Stephens, main of communications for nan Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, described nan 2 back-to-back incidents arsenic “bizarre.”

“I don’t moreover cognize really to put it into words, to show you nan truth. These things conscionable don’t happen,” he told nan outlet. “It conscionable seems truthful bizarre. It’s not moreover successful my realm of comprehension. I’m really successful daze today.”

He added, “Actually, erstwhile I was told astir it, I thought they were kidding maine conscionable to springiness maine a difficult clip from nan past one. It’s evidently not a joking matter, but it conscionable didn’t look real.” 

PEOPLE reached retired to nan Arkansas Game and Fish Commission connected Friday, Oct. 3, but did not person an contiguous response.