NEWTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Arkansas Game and Fish has determined the DNA of a bear killed in Newton County does not match that of a bear responsible for killing a man on Oct. 2.

Max Thomas of Springfield, Missouri, was found dead on Oct. 2 in Sam's Throne Campground in the Ozark National Forest.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) was responding to a welfare check requested by his family, who said the 60-year-old had been camping there and hadn't check in for a few days.

A deputy located evidence of a struggle at Thomas' campground and found his body around 60 feet from the campsite.

AGFC announced days later that a bear killed in Newton County was believed to be responsible for the attack. However, on Oct. 23, the agency said that bear's DNA did not match the bear actuall

See Full Page