Man Found Dead at Newton County Camp Site after Animal Attack

A man has died after what has been ruled as an "Animal Mauling" in Newton County.

According to releases from the Newton County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said his office received a call on Thursday requesting a welfare check of a male camper from Missouri at Sam's Throne near Mt. Judea. The man's family said that he had not checked in for a couple of days. Deputies said they found the campsite disturbed and found the camper nearby deceased with marks consistent with an animal attack. 

Wheeler said the Medical Examiner at the Arkansas State Crime Lab has confirmed that death was due to an animal attack with Wheeler suspecting it was a bear that attacked the victim. The man had sent family pictures of a bear in camp on Tuesday. Officials are waiting for DNA testing to confirm the animal that attacked the victim. 

The name of the victim has not been released.

More information can be found with the full releases from the Newton County Sheriff's Office Website.