Bell Mountain Wilderness Attack

(Belleview, MO) Iron County law enforcement officers, and officials with the United States Forest Service are investigating an assault that took place on the Ozark Trail in the Bell Mountain Wilderness Area the afternoon of March 23. A post on the U.S. Forest Service Facebook page indicates a female hiker was assaulted by an unknown male while solo hiking near the intersection with the Bell Mountain Connector Trail. The victim managed to fight off her attacker and flee the area. The attacker has been described as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s. The attacker is said to be tall and slim. He was last seen wearing a black stocking hat, sunglasses, dark pants, dark coat, and carrying a daypack. Anyone with information is requested to contact Special Agent Chuck Lochart at charles.lochart@usda.gov, Iron County deputies, or your local law enforcement.