‘Fearless’ hiker, 33, told his dad he loved him in a voicemail from the trail — nothing prepared his family for what followed
Expressing love to family members and close ones is something many people later realize should never be delayed, as life can be extremely unpredictable. No one truly knows what might happen the next moment or how circumstances can suddenly change, creating distance between people who care deeply for each other. Anthony Pollio, a 33-year-old hiker, shared a voicemail with his father while he was on a trek, as reported by Local 10, on Friday, May 8, 2026. He had updated his father about the trek and also shared a special message. However, what followed soon turned into a nightmare that Pollio’s family could never have prepared for.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the father revealed that his son had left him a voicemail updating him about the trek and telling him that he loved him. It was a casual message he shared with his dad, not thinking much of it. Unfortunately, during that same trip, tragedy struck. The Florida resident had planned to hike the trail toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout. His brother, Nicholas Pollio, said that Anthony also planned to climb up and watch the sunset there. It was likely on his way back down that he lost his life after an encounter with a bear. His body was found a few feet off the trail. In a news release on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the park announced that the deceased was identified as Anthony, who had been previously reported missing. His injuries were consistent with those typically seen in a bear encounter.
Anthony Pollio’s family has been left heartbroken and is now mourning his tragic death. His father, Arthur Pollio, described his son as a “fearless man” and an “experienced hunter.” “He's an educated man, and the bear just attacked him and killed him,” the bereaved dad said. It was difficult for Arthur to come to terms with his son’s death, especially knowing that the voicemail had become the last message he would ever receive from him. Imagining how the terrifying ordeal took place, the dad said, “I believe he was probably accosted by the bear, used the bear spray, and then may have tried to run." Yet, he was unable to escape the creature. The officials likely located the 33-year-old after finding a bear spray can and some of his personal belongings.
For someone who was an avid animal and nature lover, to think that he lost his life to the very same thing is shocking and heartbreaking. The apparent bear attack occurred nearly three decades after the last fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park, which took place in 1998. Park officials also said the trail where the suspected attack happened was temporarily closed as of May 9. For Anthony’s family, this remains an incredibly difficult time, as coming to terms with losing a young family member in such an unexpected tragedy will not be easy.