Owner of killer bear chokes to death on sex toy

Police say man well known for his collection of exotic animals has died after choking on a sex toy. Sam Mazzola, 49, was found dead in his Columbia Station home on Sunday. Mazzola kept a variety of animals at his Smokey Bear Sanctuary including five black bears, a coyote, three raccoons, two red foxes, a skunk, several wolves, two tigers and a lion.

Last year, Mazzola came under scrutiny when a black bear, named Cherokee, killed an employee of the sanctuary. According to Lorain County Chief Deputy Coroner Dr. Frank Miller, Mazzola was found face down on his water bed, restrained with handcuffs, chains and padlocks. An autopsy determined the preliminary cause of death was asphyxia due to airway obstruction by foreign body.



"The manner of death is pending further investigation and will be released when the case is finalized," the coroner's office said in a press release. Mazzola had a sex toy in his throat, which apparently obstructed his breathing, Miller said. He was also wearing a leather mask with the eyes and mouth zipped shut and a two-piece metal sphere covering his head, according to the coroner.

Investigators say Mazzola's body was discovered by a co-worker. According to detectives, Mazzola had help with the bondage equipment, but his assistant had left before he died. No one has been charged in the death, which authorities believe was accidental.