Death Of Elgin Man At National Park Under Investigation

ELGIN, IL — Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death for a 43-year-old Elgin man, whose body was found being scavenged on by a bear at Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week, Jamie Sanders, a communications specialist for the national park, told Patch. But if it was a bear attack that lead to his death, it would be only the second time in recorded history that has happened at the park.

"Bear attacks are rare," Sanders said. "We have had five bear attacks since the year 2000. One of those was a fatal incident and that has been the only fatal incident from a bear in park recorded history."

Madura's body was initially found by backpackers on Friday afternoon. The human remains were found across the creek from an unoccupied tent at a campsite in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the backpackers reported their discovery to local authorities, according to a news release from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The campsite is located on a section of the park's Hazel Creek Trail in North Carolina.

Law enforcement rangers and wildlife officers were dispatched to the scene at about 7 p.m. Friday. Rangers euthanized the bear after witnessing the animal scavenging on the man's remains, according to the news release.

The man was later identified as Madura, and authorities notified his family. The cause of Madura's death remains under investigation, according to the news release.