Bear Attack Survivor’s Chilling Final Note to Family: A Deep and Harrowing Story
Note: This piece includes descriptions of violence and trauma and may be upsetting for some readers.
Introduction
In August 2017, Canadian outdoorsman Jeremy Evans survived an attack by a grizzly bear deep in the Alberta wilderness — an encounter that almost cost him his life. In the aftermath of the mauling, faced with shockingly severe injuries and believing he was dying, Evans made a choice that would leave behind one of the most haunting final messages imaginable: a chilling note to his family written amidst the wilderness chaos.
A Fateful Quest Turns Into a Nightmare
Heading Into the Wild
In the summer of 2017, Evans, a maintenance supervisor and avid outdoorsman, set out alone into the forests of Alberta, Canada, with the simple aim of hunting a bighorn sheep (ram) — a challenging and traditional prize for hunters. The rugged wilderness of Alberta is known for its beauty, but also for its population of large predators, including grizzly bears.
What was meant to be an adventure into the wild turned into a life‑or‑death ordeal.
The Encounter
The precise moment of the attack came without warning. According to sparse reports of the incident, while Evans was moving through dense forest terrain, he came across a grizzly bear. What happened next unfolded with terrifying speed: the bear attacked, inflicting severe wounds.
The exact details of how he was ambushed are not fully public, but what followed was clear — the attack was brutal and left Evans gravely injured.
Terrifying Injuries and Immediate Aftermath
Reports indicate that Evans suffered gaping wounds from the bear. In the confusion and pain, he picked up pieces of flesh from his own body, a horrifying detail that underscores the extreme nature of his injuries.
In such intense trauma, with blood loss and shock setting in, many would have simply succumbed to panic. But Evans persevered. Wounded, alone, and deep in the woods without immediate hope of rescue, he realized the gravity of his situation.
His Chilling Final Note to Family
Desperate and convinced that he would not survive, Evans made a decision that speaks both to his mindset and the human urge to connect even in the bleakest moments: he wrote a final note to his loved ones.
According to reports, this haunting message was written during the period when he believed death was inevitable — before attempting to end his life rather than slowly bleed out.
Facing Death: The Psychological State
What might drive a person in Evans’ condition to write such a note?
Surviving an encounter with a wild predator like a grizzly is traumatic on both physical and psychological levels. Severe shock, pain, fear, and disorientation can overwhelm even experienced outdoorsmen. When isolated and alone, with no clear hope of rescue, thoughts naturally turn inward — to loved ones, unfinished business, and one’s legacy.
Evans’ note — written when he believed he was dying — reflects this primal human response: to reach out one last time to the people who matter most.
A Twist of Fate: Survival Instead of Death
After writing the note, Evans attempted what he believed might spare his family future suffering — ending his own life rather than letting the wounds take him slowly.
But something remarkable happened: he survived. Rescuers eventually found and transported him to medical care, where he would begin the long, arduous road to physical and psychological recovery.
This twist — surviving not only the bear attack but also the decision to take his life — adds another layer to the story. When Evans awoke in a hospital bed, the note he wrote took on new meaning. What was once a farewell became a symbol of a near‑death experience, and what might have been his last words turned into a testament to survival against odds.
Recovery and Aftermath
Detailed public accounts of Evans’ recovery — including medical reports or interviews — are limited in press coverage. However, surviving a bear attack with such severe injuries would undoubtedly have required extensive physical rehabilitation.
Bear Attacks: Broader Context
While Evans’ story is extraordinary, bear attacks — though rare — do occur with alarming intensity.
Bear Behavior and Human Encounters
Bears are generally not aggressive toward humans unless they feel threatened, startled, or are defending young. Both grizzly and black bears can attack if surprised at close range, especially in dense brush or near food sources.
Most bear attacks occur when people inadvertently stumble upon bears or fail to follow safety practices like:
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Making noise while hiking in bear territory
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Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it
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Maintaining a safe distance and keeping food secure
Other Notable Incidents
Other bear‑attack cases underline the diverse circumstances in which such events occur:
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A Massachusetts man on his honeymoon survived a grizzly mauling and recorded a compelling message immediately afterward — a raw eyewitness account of the attack and his survival tactics.
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In Banff National Park, a couple sent a terse final message — “Bear attack bad” — moments before being fatally mauled by a grizzly, highlighting how quickly these encounters can turn deadly.
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In Russia, a young woman called her mother multiple times while being attacked, uttering heartbreaking words that echo the human dimension of these tragic events.
These stories, while different in details and outcomes, share a common thread: close human encounters with apex predators can be sudden, terrifying, and deeply emotional.
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