An Oklahoma woman who was found dead on Sunday was mauled to death by a pack of dogs, not stabbed to death as authorities originally believed.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office said they found Anita Mears, 61, deceased near her Harrah home with injuries consistent with being stabbed multiple times. Responding deputies reportedly found Mears’ dog, who was injured in the fatal mauling, “standing guard” over her body.
“The Oklahoma Coroner’s Office responded and determined this is not a homicide,” sheriff Tommie Johnson III told KWTV.
Authorities believe multiple dogs killed Mears, but they all remain unaccounted for. Oklahoma County police said they do not know whether the dogs are wild or someone’s pet. They noted that it is common to see packs of dogs running loose in the rural area where Sunday’s incident occurred.
“Our prayers are with Ms. Mears family as they work to cope with this tragedy,” police said.
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[Featured image: Anita Mears/ Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office]