Overview

• The 60-year-old Missouri man was found several yards from his campsite at Sam's Throne after a welfare check, with signs of a struggle and drag marks leading into the woods.
• The victim had texted family photos of a young male bear near his camp two days earlier, and investigators reported paw prints in the area.
• The Arkansas State Crime Lab classified the death as an animal mauling and an accident, with DNA testing still pending to confirm a bear caused the fatal injuries.
• Arkansas Game and Fish, the U.S. Forest Service and local deputies have closed the recreation area, set traps and cameras, and are attempting to locate and euthanize the suspect bear for testing.
• If confirmed, it would be the second deadly bear encounter in Arkansas in about a month, and authorities are urging caution while warning residents not to take independent action against bears.