In a story that has left readers horrified and heartbroken, a man who survived a brutal bear attack in Alaska reportedly managed to write a final message to his family as he clung to life, even as he attempted to gather pieces of his own flesh. The shocking account, revealed in new investigative reports, describes how the outdoorsman endured unimaginable agony before being found by rescuers in the wilderness.
The survivor, identified as 44-year-old Matthew Raines, had set out on a solo hunting trip near the Chugach National Forest when he was mauled by a grizzly. According to details shared with The New York Times, Raines was carrying basic supplies and a rifle but was ambushed by the animal before he could react. Investigators said the scene was “like nothing they had ever encountered,” with signs showing he had fought desperately to survive despite catastrophic injuries.
Officials confirm Alaskan hunter Matthew Raines left a note to loved ones after a bear attack left him critically wounded. The words were “unbearably heartbreaking.”— Wilderness Watch (@WildWatchNews) August 25, 2025
Authorities later confirmed that Raines, despite being gravely wounded, wrote a short message to his wife and children on a blood-stained notepad he kept in his pack. As BBC News reported, his words were simple but devastating: “I love you, always.” Search teams said they found the note tucked under his body, which they described as both haunting and heroic — a man determined to leave behind proof of his love even as his life slipped away.
Rescuers also discovered signs that Raines had attempted to pick up pieces of his own torn flesh, a detail that left even veteran officers shaken. One first responder told CNN that “it was as if he was trying to hold himself together, literally. The courage it took to fight that long is beyond comprehension.” Despite his efforts, Raines later succumbed to his injuries before he could be airlifted to safety.
“To write a love note in that kind of agony — that’s superhuman. His family will carry those words forever.” 💔— Alaska Daily (@AlaskaDaily) August 25, 2025
Wildlife officials explained that bear attacks in Alaska are rare but often deadly when they occur in remote regions. Raines had experience in the backcountry, but the grizzly’s sudden appearance left him with little chance. The NPR coverage noted that he likely saved others by fighting the animal long enough for it to retreat before striking again. “This was not just survival,” said one official. “It was defiance.”
Community members in Raines’ hometown of Wasilla have been holding vigils, leaving flowers and handwritten notes at a local church. Friends described him as a devoted father who took his children camping and taught them survival skills. “The irony is unbearable,” one family friend told the Daily Mail. “He prepared for everything, but no one can prepare for this.”
Neighbors light candles for Matthew Raines, the bear attack victim who left behind a final message of love. 🕯️— Community Watch (@CommWatch) August 25, 2025
Experts say the story will likely reignite debates over wilderness safety and the increasing encounters between humans and grizzly bears as their habitats shift. Conservationists have warned that shrinking food supplies push animals closer to human settlements, increasing the risk of violent confrontations. According to National Geographic’s recent analysis, Alaska has seen a steady rise in reported bear encounters over the past decade.
For Raines’ family, however, the statistics pale in comparison to the loss of a husband and father. His widow released a statement saying that while his death is almost impossible to process, the final note gave them “a piece of his heart to hold on to.” She described him as “the bravest man I ever knew” and asked the public to honor his memory by respecting wildlife and supporting first responders who risk their lives in the Alaskan wilderness.
“We will treasure his final words forever. He gave us love even as he lost everything.” — Raines family statement— Family Voices (@FamVoices) August 25, 2025
In the end, Matthew Raines’ final act was not one of fear, but of devotion. His note, scribbled in blood and pain, has already been described by many as a symbol of resilience. For the family he leaves behind, it is a message that love endures even in the face of horror — a reminder that even as his body failed, his spirit refused to let go.
