From Deseret News archives:
Inquiry opened into fatal grizzly bear attack during California video shoot
The state Department of Industrial Relations will investigate a Los Angeles company called eSeekers Inc. that employed the victim, Stephan Miller, 39, for any health and safety violations, said Kate McGuire, the agency spokeswoman.
McGuire described the business as a Web browser company that was shooting video at Predators in Action, a center in the San Bernardino Mountains that provides trained animals for movies, TV shows and documentaries.
Stephan Miller died Tuesday after the 7 1/2-foot-tall bear, named Rocky, bit him on the neck. The victim was a cousin of Predators in Action owner Randy Miller.
An autopsy Thursday found that Stephan Miller died within minutes of neck injuries consistent with a single bite, said Sandy Fatland, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County coroner.
"If the coroner's report says there's only one bite, then it follows what the initial report was, which is that the person was bitten, not attacked," said Harry Morse, spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Game.
"Knowing the bear, taking little nip-type bites with the front teeth, every bear does that," he said.
McGuire said the state probe could take as long as six months. The agency could issue citations if violations are found, she said.
A colleague of Stephan Miller said he worked for ShareNow.com, a social-networking and file-sharing startup meant to compete with sites like Facebook and YouTube. ShareNow's chairman, Nigel Robertson, said eSeekers is the holding company for Beverly Hills-based ShareNow.com.
Robertson said he hired Stephan Miller, an expert in Internet startups, 10 months ago to establish online communities and was impressed by his dedication. Miller, the No. 3 man at the fledgling company, would sleep in the office in a sleeping bag and last week tattooed ShareNow's logo on his arm, Robertson said. He talked often about his passion for exotic animals.
Robertson said he didn't know whether Stephan Miller was filming footage for ShareNow.com when he died. He said he hadn't been contacted by state officials.
Comments
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
201 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
101 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
STOP blaming the Democrats, BLAME THE REPUBLICANS FOR 8 YEARS DOING NOTHING...
The best way to break the law is to become someone who enforces the law.
It's a real shame so many folks have never gotten out and gotten to know the...
It's all talk... you do not have any evidence for your claims. You assume...
Maybe if you could bat .408 in the major leagues, you too would be paid a...
I prefer the “Wizard of Earthsea” quartet by Ursula Le Guin, an...
The bottom line question that no one can possibly answer is; what will be the...
It looks to me like special treatment.
Jazz will have a tough week, with what should be a easy win against the...
I am very excited for this game. As much as I want the Utes to win, it won't...

You can be the first to comment on this story.