LIPAN, TX — A 28-year-old Texas man is dead after a possible mountain lion attack and officials are warning nearby residents to keep young children inside at night as they search for the animal.
On December 3 around 3:30pm, Hood County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 15000 block of Howell Rd. in Lipan in reference to a missing person call.
Deputies were told Christopher Allen Whiteley, 28, was missing and last seen on Dec. 2 in the early morning hours.
Deputies checked a wooded area nearby and eventually found Whiteley deceased, the sheriff's office said.
The preliminary findings say he died from a wild animal attack, possibly a mountain lion.
The Hood County Sheriff’s Office has contacted a Governmental Trapper with the USDA, who specializes in tracking and removing mountain lions.
The Hood County Sheriff’s Office said they are working with the Texas Game Wardens and the Governmental Trapper to locate the mountain lion.
“The safety of Hood County Citizens are my priority one, but please don’t interfere with the process of locating the animal and stay clear of the area being actively worked by officials," Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds said.
"The public in the Lipan area are urged to be mindful of their surroundings and keep young children and animals inside at night," the statement said.
Whiteley’s body was sent to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
