Man Fatally Attacked by Bear Inside His New Mexico Home

Benjamin Halona, a 67-year-old widower from New Mexico, died in August when a bear entered his home while he was recovering from a seizure that impaired his mobility. His stepson, Casey, returned from the post office to find the front door ajar and a bear roaming inside. Halona’s niece, Samantha Vandever Casey, and his sister, Gloria Halona, barricaded themselves in a bedroom and alerted authorities.

When police arrived, the bear had moved outside and was subsequently shot after being driven away with a car horn. The Navajo Police Department confirmed the animal was neutralized and noted its cultural significance to the Navajo Nation. Halona’s family described him as strong and content despite modest means.