Widower Mauled to Death by Bear Inside New Mexico Home

A 67-year-old widower was mauled to death by a black bear after the animal broke into his New Mexico home, leaving his horrified family to discover the gruesome aftermath.

Benjamin Halona was attacked around 1 p.m. on Aug. 20 at his home in Crystal, New Mexico, according to the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Halona had recently lost his wife and was already struggling with serious health problems that had severely limited his mobility, his family said.

His sister, Gloria Halona, and niece, Samantha Vandever, told The Guardian that Benjamin had suffered a devastating seizure and was recovering with the help of a walker and wheelchair.

“He was a really strong person,” Gloria said. “And, even though he didn’t have a lot, he was happy.”

On the afternoon of the deadly attack, Halona was home alone while his stepson, Casey, left to go to the post office.

When Casey returned, he immediately realized something was terribly wrong.

The front door was reportedly ajar — and a bear was inside the house.

Casey raced into his bedroom, locked the door and barricaded it with a dresser and other heavy objects, according to the family.

Fearing the bear might get to him next, he climbed into a crawlspace inside his closet and called for emergency help on his cellphone.

He also contacted Gloria and Samantha, who quickly drove to the home.

When they arrived, the women spotted the bear outside the residence.

At Gloria’s urging, Samantha began honking the car horn in an attempt to scare the animal away. The bear eventually fled.

Law enforcement officers responding to the scene later shot and wounded the animal, according to the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The bear managed to escape into nearby woods before authorities tracked it down and “neutralized” it.

But inside the home, it was already too late for Halona.

His family entered the house and was met with what Samantha described as a “horrific scene.”

Halona had suffered fatal injuries in the attack.

“It was a lot for us,” Samantha said.

Both the Navajo Police Department and the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife offered condolences to Halona’s grieving relatives.

He leaves behind two siblings, four children, five stepchildren, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, according to his family.

“He endured a lot in his life — especially during his death,” Vandever said. “And we’re all heartbroken that this had to happen to him.”

Halona’s funeral was held Aug. 29, with his loved ones saying they have leaned on each other and the surrounding community for support.

The horrifying attack came as officials warned of increased bear activity across the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Police Department said Aug. 25 that drought and a lack of moisture have reduced the amount of natural food available to bears, forcing the animals to travel farther and take greater risks while searching for food ahead of hibernation.

“Food is the cause of most human-bear conflicts,” the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

Authorities are urging people in bear country to secure garbage and livestock feed, bring pet food indoors, clean outdoor grills and remove anything else that could attract hungry bears.

Residents are also being advised to keep doors and windows closed and to keep homesites and campsites clean.

If someone encounters a black bear, wildlife officials warn against running.

Instead, people should face the animal and slowly back away while leaving the bear a clear escape route.

If the bear approaches, officials recommend standing your ground, making yourself appear as large as possible and making loud noises. Children should be kept close and dogs should remain on leashes.

And if a black bear attacks, officials say victims should fight back with anything available rather than playing dead.

“The NPD urges the public to stay away from potentially dangerous wildlife,” the Navajo Police Department said. “If a bear is spotted, please call your nearest NPD District.”