Gilbert Woman Attacked by Bear Dies After Suffering Brain Hemorrhage

A Gilbert woman who was attacked by a black bear near Pinetop last month died yesterday after suffering a brain hemorrhage over the weekend.Lana Hollingsworth, 61, was mauled by the bear on June 28, as she she took her dog on a late-night walk in the Sports Village area of...

By James King

July 26, 2011

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A Gilbert woman who was attacked by a black bear near Pinetop last month died yesterday after suffering a brain hemorrhage over the weekend.

Lana Hollingsworth, 61, was mauled by the bear on June 28, as she she took her dog on a late-night walk in the Sports Village area of the Pinetop Country Club.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the family said bacteria from the bear's paw had attacked Hollingsworth's brain. However, no official cause of death was given.

Following the attack, Arizona Game and Fish officials caught and killed a bear they believed was responsible for the attack. Forensic testing on the bear later confirmed that it was the animal that attacked Hollingsworth.

AGF officials determined that the bear was rummaging through some trash about 60 yards from Hollingsworth when it ran to attack her.

Hollingsworth's friends set up a website to raise money for treatment that wasn't covered by insurance. Visit Hollingsworth's website here.

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