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Black bear euthanized after eating Canada murderer

By JEREMY HAINSWORTH, Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canadian conservation officers have euthanized a black bear that ate the remains of a convicted murderer.

British Columbia Environment Minister Terry Lake said Monday the bear's description matched that of one seen guarding a cache that contained the remains Rory Wagner, 54. Examinations of fur at the scene as well as teeth and claw marks confirmed the bear that was euthanized is the one that ate the remains.

Lake said the animal was put down because bears remember food sources.

Officials suspect the bear pulled the Wagner's body from his car after he died on a remote logging road.

Wagner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1994. He and two others were charged with a killing a man who they believed had sexually assaulted a family member. He served his prison time and was released.

Wagner, who was living in Kamloops, British Columbia, was reported missing May 23. Police said his death was not suspicious. Hunters found the site last week.

Regional coroner Mark Coleman said it is not yet known how Wagner died. Coleman said an autopsy showed the man was dead before the bear got him out of the car. Coleman said toxicology results to reveal how Wagner died would not be complete for several weeks.