Bear keeper in Ohio attack dies in bizarre fashion

CLEVELAND (AP) — An exotic-animal keeper who made headlines after one of his bears killed a caretaker was found dead and chained to his bed, asphyxiated in an apparent accident during sexual role-playing, authorities said.

Sam Mazzola, 49, was found last week face down on his water bed, wearing a mask and with his arms and legs restrained, said Dr. Frank P. Miller III, a pathologist at the Lorain County coroner's office. He had choked on a sex toy, Miller said in an emailed statement.

Mazzola's body was found Friday at his home in Columbia Township, about 15 miles southwest of Cleveland.

Someone else was at the home and helped Mazzola undertake the acts but left before he died, Miller told The News-Herald of Willoughby. Sheriff's officials ruled out suicide and homicide but are still investigating the manner of death, the newspaper reported.