Investigators say evidence suggests the fatal encounter on a Montana hiking trail was sudden and unexpected.
WEST GLACIER, Mont. — A 33-year-old Catholic deacon from Florida died during a solo hike in Glacier National Park after what investigators believe was a surprise bear encounter on a remote trail, leaving behind a final voicemail to his father describing the sunset hike and ending with the words, “Love you.”
National Park Service officials identified the hiker as Anthony Pollio of Davie, Florida, whose body was discovered May 6 near the Mount Brown Trail after relatives reported him missing. Authorities said Pollio’s injuries were consistent with a bear attack, though a final autopsy determination remains pending. The case has drawn national attention because fatal bear attacks inside Glacier National Park are rare, with the last recorded deadly incident occurring nearly three decades ago. Park officials temporarily closed the trail while wildlife specialists continued monitoring activity in the area and investigators worked to reconstruct Pollio’s final movements.
According to park officials, Pollio had told family members he planned to hike toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout to watch the sunset after arriving in Montana during a cross-country road trip. Relatives said he had spent weeks traveling through national parks and landmarks across the western United States before reaching Glacier. His father, Arthur Pollio, told Florida media outlets that his son left a voicemail while climbing the trail and sounded winded but upbeat as he described the hike. Arthur Pollio said the message followed a routine his son maintained throughout the trip, frequently checking in with family as he traveled. Search crews began looking for Pollio after he failed to return and after family members alerted authorities that they had not heard from him again following the voicemail. Rescue teams later located personal items along the trail before finding his body roughly 50 feet from the main path in dense timber.
Investigators said the exact sequence of events remains unclear, but early evidence points to what wildlife officials described as a sudden encounter. Glacier National Park officials said Pollio’s injuries were consistent with a bear attack and noted there was no immediate indication the animal had stalked him beforehand. Arthur Pollio told reporters he believed his son may have attempted to defend himself with bear spray after investigators reportedly recovered a canister near the scene. The elder Pollio described his son as an experienced outdoorsman and longtime hunter who understood wildlife safety procedures. Family members said Pollio had spent years hunting and hiking in remote areas and was familiar with carrying safety equipment in bear country. His brother, Nicholas Pollio, said Anthony intended to complete only a short hike before sunset and had expected to return without difficulty. Authorities have not publicly identified whether the suspected animal was a grizzly bear or black bear, and officials have not announced whether any specific animal is being tracked in connection with the death.
Pollio’s death renewed attention on the dangers faced by hikers in Glacier National Park, where grizzly and black bear populations regularly cross heavily visited backcountry routes. The park spans more than one million acres along the Rocky Mountains and receives millions of visitors annually during the warmer months. Wildlife experts have long warned that surprise encounters increase during spring because bears become more active after winter denning periods and often travel through wooded terrain with limited visibility. Although bear sightings are relatively common inside Glacier, fatal encounters remain uncommon. The park’s last deadly bear attack occurred in 1998 in the Two Medicine Valley area. Park officials also reported a nonfatal bear-related injury involving a hiker in August 2025. Rangers routinely encourage hikers to travel in groups, make noise on trails and carry bear spray while traveling through remote sections of the park. Mount Brown Trail, where Pollio disappeared, climbs through forested terrain toward a historic fire lookout overlooking Lake McDonald.
Federal investigators and park wildlife staff continued examining the scene over the weekend while the local coroner’s office prepared to complete a formal autopsy report. Park officials said the temporary closure of the Mount Brown Trail would remain in effect while crews conducted field assessments and monitored wildlife behavior in the area. Authorities have not announced any plans to euthanize a bear because investigators have not publicly connected the attack to a specific animal. The National Park Service said additional information would be released after forensic findings and wildlife evaluations are completed. Pollio’s death also prompted renewed discussion among park officials about balancing wildlife protection with visitor safety during the busy spring and summer hiking season. Friends and relatives in Florida said funeral arrangements were beginning as the family awaited final investigative findings from Montana authorities. Church members who knew Pollio described him as active in ministry work and frequently involved in preaching and volunteer activities.
Friends and family members remembered Pollio as adventurous, deeply religious and constantly in motion. Arthur Pollio described his son as “fearless” and said he embraced travel, motorcycles and the outdoors with unusual intensity. Relatives said the 33-year-old had recently visited Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore during the same road trip. Family members also said Pollio often worked clearing trails and assisting with outdoor projects during his travels. Those who attended church with him in South Florida remembered him as a calm and energetic speaker who regularly connected with younger parishioners. Nicholas Pollio said his brother approached life with curiosity and rarely hesitated to explore unfamiliar places. In the final voicemail, Arthur Pollio said, his son calmly described the trail conditions and the scenery before ending the call with a simple expression of affection that has since become central to the family’s memory of his last hours alive.
As of Sunday evening, Glacier National Park officials said the investigation remained active and the Mount Brown Trail closure would continue until wildlife monitoring is completed. Authorities are expected to release additional details after autopsy findings are finalized and investigators determine a clearer timeline of the fatal encounter.