Press Release

UPDATE TO BEAR ATTACK - OFFICAL CAUSE OF DEATH RELEASED

By: Sheriff Glenn Wheeler 
Newton County Sheriff's Office
870-446-5124   

October 3rd, 2025
 
Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said he spoke with the Medical Examiner at the Arkansas State Crime Lab who confirmed the cause of death of the man at Sam's Throne Campground has officially been ruled as "Animal Mauling" and the manner of death to be an accident. The Crime Lab says it cannot completely confirm it was a bear until DNA samples are confirmed. 
Sheriff Wheeler said, "this confirms our suspicions, and I appreciate the quick work of the Medical Examiner in getting us and the family preliminary answers. I also understand their desire to confirm the species of animal via DNA just to cover all our bases."
Sam's Throne and the surrounding area continues to be closed until further notice and attempts to locate the bear are ongoing.
Sheriff Wheeler also said, "if we encounter bears in the area through trapping, or hunting with dogs or any other method, we will be able to rule out most of the bears based on photos we have. We have an approximate size and estimated weight of the bear we believe is responsible and it has some identifying markings. So, within a fair degree of certainty, we will be able to tell if a bear is not the one responsible and allow it to go on its way. There is a lot of speculation circulating about the bear and I can say that the one believed to attacked the man was not a large bear. We believe it to be a juvenile male that was likely weaned and kicked off its mother this year."
Updates will be provided as available. 

END OF RELEASE