June 19, 2000


The preliminary results of an autopsy performed on Glenda Ann Bradley show that Bradley's death was accidental and the result of blood loss due to injuries consistent with having been caused by a bear or bears. Park officials received the preliminary results late Friday of the autopsy performed at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. The post-mortem report issued by Dr. Ellen B. Wallen is consistent with the findings and observations of Rangers and biologists who have been investigating Bradley's May 21 death. Bradley and her former husband, Ralph Hill, entered the Park on Sunday, May 21, to hike and fish in the Little River about 2.5 miles from Elkmont Campground. The pair split up for about an hour while Hill fished. When he went to rejoin Bradley at around 3:00 p.m. he found her body with two bears still nearby. Rangers arrived and shot both the 112-lb. female and her yearling female offspring. A necropsy of both animals confirmed that both had preyed upon Bradley's body. Acting Park Superintendent Philip A. Francis said, "We may never know exactly what triggered these bears to attack Ms. Bradley, but with Friday's autopsy report we can at least put to rest rumors of foul play."