Currently the police believe that the man killed, Patel, was by a bear on Sunday September 21st. The West Milford Police Chief said “We’re trying to put all these theories to rest.” He was referring to the all of the rumors of the group inciting the bear. Most theories I have heard are of the group angering the bear and then once it was very mad it chased them. Although to get back on topic the investigators of the attack believe that the bear aggressively chased the group who apparently ran from the 4 year old 299 pound Black Bear.
There were two hikers that talked to the group prior to the attack. Warned the group of the bear, but they continued on their original path and then they took pictures from what they thought was a safe distance. The bear started to close the gap so they started to leave. As the bear followed them, they picked up their pace, as did the bear. They split up and the bear followed Patel. Once the group had regrouped they realized that Patel was missing, left the preserve and called the cops.
A necropsy of the bear’s remains shows that the bear was healthy and showed no signs of rabies or other diseases. The necropsy also showed that Patel’s blood, skin, hair, and clothes were on the bear’s paws and in its mouth. Patel’s autopsy has yet to be released.