Convict's body partly eaten by black bear

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KAMLOOPS, British Columbia, June 2 (UPI) -- The body of a man convicted of kidnapping and second-degree murder was found partly eaten by a bear in southern British Columbia, authorities said.

Rory Nelson Wagner, 53, had been reported missing when he didn't return to his residence at an apartment where he had to be at night while on day parole, The (Kamloops, British Columbia) Daily News reported.

Wagner's body was found in woods southwest of Kamloops, about 130 yards from his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. The car had scratches, paw prints and a dent -- evidence a black bear had been at the vehicle. Officials believe Wagner had been dead for days and the bear pulled his body out of the car.

Wagner's body had been covered with plant debris, an apparent effort by the bear to keep it as a food supply.

Regional coroner Mark Coleman said street drugs were found in Wagner's car and toxicology tests were ordered.

Wagner, his brother Rob Wagner and Gerald Beaugrand pleaded guilty to the 1993 beating death of Anthony Kohlman, a Langley, British Columbia, man.

Kohlman had been acquitted of sexually abusing a child related to the Wagner men and was killed soon after, the Daily News said.

Conservation officials were hunting for the bear.