NEWTON COUNTY, Ark. (KTVI) - A bear killed by wildlife officials in Arkansas earlier this month, initially believed to have killed a Missouri man, is not the same bear responsible for the deadly attack, officials say.

On Oct. 2, the body of Max Thomas, of Springfield, Missouri, was discovered Thursday near Sam’s Throne campground of the Ozark National Forest in northwest Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

"A bear was euthanized by AGFC biologists three days after the incident, as size, physical characteristics and photographic evidence initially pointed to a high probability that it was the attacking animal," said AGFC via a news release Thursday.

However, DNA testing found the black bear killed by wildlife officials "does not match the DNA of the bear respons

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