Second fatal bear-related incident in Arkansas as mauling is ruled cause of death

UPDATE, Oct. 6, 2025 —

Authorities have identified the man killed in a bear attack last week at Sam’s Throne Campground near Mount Judea, Arkansas, as 60-year-old Max Thomas of Springfield, Missouri.

Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said Thomas had been camping in the area and stopped contacting his family, who alerted the sheriff’s office. Deputies later found his body several yards from his campsite.

In an extensive effort involving multiple agencies and local hunters, officers began searching for the bear believed responsible. On Sunday, Oct. 5, hounds treed a bear in the same area where Thomas was attacked. Officials said the bear matched photos taken by the victim and others in the weeks before the incident.

The bear’s body has been sent to Little Rock for a necropsy and DNA testing to confirm its identity.

Sheriff Wheeler said he is confident the animal was responsible, calling the situation tragic but necessary for public safety.

“Max was a husband and a father who leaves behind several loved ones,” Wheeler said. “While it is unfortunate it had to end this way, human life is vastly more important and public safety takes priority.”

Sam’s Throne Campground and surrounding areas remain closed while officials await test results and remove traps and equipment.

EARLIER —

The death of a man found at Sam’s Throne Campground in Newton County on Thursday has been ruled an “animal mauling,” with the manner of death determined to be an accident, authorities said Friday.

Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said the Arkansas State Crime Lab’s medical examiner confirmed the cause of death but noted that DNA testing is still underway to determine the species involved.

“This confirms our suspicions, and I appreciate the quick work of the Medical Examiner in getting us and the family preliminary answers,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I also understand their desire to confirm the species of animal via DNA just to cover all our bases.”

The sheriff said Sam’s Throne and the surrounding area remain closed while officials continue efforts to locate the animal believed responsible. Wheeler said investigators believe the bear involved was a juvenile male, recently separated from its mother, and not a large animal.

“If we encounter bears in the area through trapping or hunting with dogs, we’ll be able to rule out most based on photos and identifying markings,” Wheeler said.

The incident marks the second fatal bear attack reported in Arkansas this year. In Franklin County, 72-year-old Vernon Patton died Sept. 14 after being mauled by a bear earlier in the month near Mulberry Mountain. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said two wildlife officers killed the animal at the scene, which witnesses described as a smaller bear.

Game and Fish officials have said bear attacks in Arkansas are extremely rare and that no similar fatal incidents have been documented in recent memory.