Guardian US news reported that Benjamin Halona’s death prompted an intense reaction in the Navajo Nation, where bears are regarded as sacred. Halona, 67, was killed by a bear inside his home in Crystal, New Mexico, on 20 August, relatives said. A Navajo Nation police statement said the bear fled into nearby woods after killing a man and was later shot by police.
The Associated Press reported that New Mexico had not recorded a deadly bear mauling since 2001, which was also the first fatal bear attack there in a century. New Mexico wildlife officials had warned before Halona’s death that bear conflicts with people were increasing throughout the state in 2026. The officials urged the public to remove garbage and fallen or rotten fruit that could attract bears into populated areas during severe drought conditions.
Gloria Halona and Samantha Vandever said they wanted people to remember Benjamin for his work as a wildland firefighter and for selling tamales that were popular in the community. They also recalled that he had shown quiet dignity after becoming a widower and dealing with health problems that left him dependent on a walker and wheelchair. Relatives said Halona remained at home while his stepson went to the post office, and the family member later returned to find the door open and a bear inside.
After a family member called for emergency help from a barricaded room, Gloria and Samantha arrived, saw the bear outside and alerted it by honking before a police officer shot the animal. The family also remembered Halona’s nicknames, his pride in serving his Native American reservation and his admiration for Waylon Jennings, whom he met when the singer performed at a Navajo Nation fair. Gloria said Jennings complimented Halona’s singing by comparing it favorably with Willie Nelson’s, an encounter she described as among the happiest moments of his life. Family members said survivors have supported one another, while memorial gatherings and funeral services held on 29 August provided additional comfort. Vandever said the family was heartbroken that Halona had endured so much, including the manner of his death.