Lipan death investigation continues
On 12-6-20 the Hood County Sheriff’s Office
received the statement and findings below
from the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, which states the following:
“Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is aware of
this tragic loss of life and has provided assistance to
the sheriff’s office in evaluating the circumstances
and information available.
Texas Game Wardens, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department biologists, and subject matter experts
conducted an inspection of the scene. There is not
any evidence of a predatory attack by a mountain
lion at the location where the victim was found.
A Unites States Department of Agriculture Wildlife
Services trapper also evaluated the evidence and
came to the same conclusion as our staff. Fatal mountain lion attacks on people are extremely rare. In the past 100 years, there are fewer than 30 confirmed deaths due to mountain lion attacks nationwide. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has no records of a confirmed fatal attack on a person
by a mountain lion in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife
also has no confirmed records of a mountain lion
from Hood County.
The recent confirmed sighting from Rowlett in Dallas
County was nearly 100 miles away and is considered
unrelated to this event.” End of TPWD statement.

It appears we have two conflicting
reports from two agencies that are
experts in their field.
We stand behind the preliminary findings
of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s
Office, that rule out a suicide and a
homicide on the death in question.

The investigation continues and we
continue to gather pictures and
statements from locals that have seen and
capture on film images of mountain lions.
We will wait for the final autopsy report
from the TCME Office.
Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds always
airs on the side of caution when it comes
to the safety and well-being of the citizens
of Hood County and will continue to alert
them of any safety issue that may affect
them.