Missouri man found dead in Newton County; bear attack suspected

A Missouri man was found dead Thursday at Sam’s Throne in Newton County, and investigators say evidence points to a possible bear attack.

Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said his office received a welfare check request Thursday from a caller concerned about his father, who had been camping at the site near Mt. Judea and had not checked in for several days.

A deputy found the man’s truck and campsite, which appeared disturbed, with drag marks leading into the woods. The 60-year-old camper was discovered several yards from the site with fatal injuries consistent with a large carnivore attack, Sheriff Wheeler said.

The man’s family told investigators he had sent photos Tuesday morning showing a bear in his campsite. Wheeler said the injuries “absolutely are consistent with a bear attack,” though an autopsy at the Arkansas Crime Lab is pending.

“This is a highly unusual case,” Wheeler said. “Until the Arkansas Crime Lab completes the autopsy, we can’t 100% say it was a bear, but everything strongly indicates it.”

The U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, National Park Service, Jasper Police Department, the 14th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Newton County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.

Officials have closed Sam’s Throne Campground while efforts continue to locate the bear, which Wheeler said appeared to be a young male. Local hunters with dogs have joined the search, and the Game and Fish Commission plans to test the animal if it is captured.

Wheeler urged the public to use caution in the area, especially with children, and to follow bear safety practices such as securing food, keeping distance from wildlife and carrying deterrents.

“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. “But at the same time, don’t put yourself or others in jeopardy.”

The victim’s name has not been released.

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