South Florida Man Passes Away on Montana Hike, Family Shares Heartbreaking Final Message

A voicemail. That was the last anyone heard from him before he vanished into the Montana wilderness, and what investigators found days later told a devastating story.

Anthony Edward Pollio, 33, a Fort Lauderdale-area native, had been on a two-week road trip through some of America's most iconic landscapes when he stopped at Glacier National Park in Montana alone. He went for a hike and never came back. Now his father is speaking out about who he was and the final words he left behind.

Who Was the Man Behind the Adventure

Anthony spent his childhood in Davie, Florida, where his dad, Arthur Pollio, described him as a genuine "Broward County boy." He lived an active outdoor life, riding ATVs, kneeboards, and personal watercraft. By the time of his passing, he had also been an avid hunter for nearly 20 years.

He went to school at St. Bernadette Catholic School in Davie and later attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. Throughout his time at both schools, he actively competed as an athlete.

Later, Anthony studied hospitality at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and he was presently living in Sebring, where he served as a deacon at his local church.

To the press, Arthur painted an even larger picture of a son who was impossible to reduce to a single description. He called Anthony a natural leader among friends and in his professional life, a kind and intelligent man who loved animals, and a "motorhead" with a passion for racing cars.

Where the Journey Began

The Montana trip was no impulsive decision. Anthony traveled extensively to explore various American landmarks and national parks over the course of several years. His journeys took him to sites like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the Grand Teton National Park.

He also visited the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. During a trip to Thermopolis, Wyoming, he even participated in a search for dinosaur fossils.

"His life experiences in 33 years, some people don't get to do 'til they're 90 or their whole life," Arthur said.

The Montana leg was part of a two-week road trip Anthony had been taking with a friend. But his companion decided not to stay there and continued traveling. So, Anthony remained in Montana alone, and on May 3, 2026, he arrived at Glacier National Park and checked in at Lake McDonald Lodge.

What the Last Hours Looked Like

From there, Anthony set off on the Mt. Brown Trail, a steep, roughly 10-mile round-trip path leading to the historic Mount Brown Fire Lookout.

His brother, Nicholas Pollio, explained his mindset:

"He saw a trail. It was only a few miles. It was daytime. His intention was to go up and see the sunset from the fire watch tower."

Before he got too far into the hike, Anthony called his father and left a voice note. While breathing somewhat heavily, he told his dad what he was doing and that he loved him. That was the last message Arthur ever received from his son.

"He was fearless," the grieving father told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

When Anthony didn't return, authorities were notified, and a search began on Monday, May 4. Three days passed before his body was discovered on Wednesday, May 6, in a densely wooded area roughly 50 feet off the trail.

What Investigators Found at the Scene

His injuries, park officials confirmed, were "consistent with those sustained by a bear encounter." Designated trails leading from Lake McDonald Lodge were temporarily closed while the investigation continued.

Arthur shared that he thinks Anthony encountered a grizzly bear on the way back down the mountain. "I believe he was probably accosted by the bear. Used the bear spray. He might have ran from there," he said. "I think the bear may have chased him down, grabbed him by the shoulder."

It was, in part, the bear spray can that helped lead investigators to Anthony's body, as that was discovered first. But the National Park Service noted that the sequence of events leading up to the encounter remains under investigation, although early evidence points to it being a "surprise encounter."

Glacier National Park is home to both grizzly bears and black bears. As recently as August of the previous year, a 34-year-old hiker had been injured by a bear that was likely startled while accompanied by two cubs. That encounter was non-fatal, and this one was not. In fact, this appears to be the first deadly run-in with a bear in the park since 1998.

How His Family Is Remembering Him

"Anthony was a fearless man," Arthur echoed to Local 10 News. "He was an experienced hunter. Tons of experience. Educated. Very smart."

The family's grief is layered with the particular pain of knowing Anthony was prepared, informed, and careful about hiking. He carried bear spray. He did it during daylight. He told his father where he was going. And still, the mountain had other plans.

Now, the Pollio family is left with the memory of a man who packed more living into 33 years than most manage in a lifetime, and a voicemail that now carries the weight of a final goodbye.

Sadly, an even younger woman faced a similar fate a few months ago. Brianna L. Mohr, a 21-year-old from Brick, New Jersey, set out to hike Mount Marcy on February 12, with her dog by her side. Unfortunately, what began as a winter adventure quickly spiraled into a frantic race against time.

A Call That Changed Everything

Mount Marcy is not just another scenic trail. Rising 5,343 feet above the Adirondacks, it is the tallest peak in New York and widely regarded as especially dangerous during the winter months.

On that February afternoon, the conditions were unforgiving. Snow covered the ground, temperatures hovered well below freezing, and there was little protection from the wind.

Sadly, those conditions ruined this young woman's hike.

At 3:05 p.m., Brianna placed a call that would set an enormous rescue effort into motion. According to the Asbury Park Press, she told dispatchers she had slipped off the trail near the summit and could not climb back to it.

She was stranded, and the only companion beside her was her dog.

Looking for Brianna Mohr

The New York State Forest Rangers received the alert from the hiker and immediately went into action. In a statement from the New York State Police, officials said rangers were deployed and began an extensive search.

Rescue teams advanced up the mountain using snowmobiles and a tracked utility vehicle. At the same time, the New York State Police Aviation Unit launched a helicopter, anticipating that a hoist rescue might be possible.

For a brief window, there was reason to believe she would be located quickly. Then the weather acted up again.

When The Sky Closed In

Clouds thickened over the peak and visibility dropped. According to People, this "heavy cloud cover" prevented the rangers in the helicopter from spotting her from above.

Without clear visibility, the aerial search could not continue effectively. One ranger was lowered to the ground at 6:06 p.m. at the Marcy Dam Outpost to continue the search on foot.

But by then, daylight was fading. The temperature in nearby Keene ranged from eight degrees below zero to 20 degrees that day, and the summit would have felt even colder.

Each passing hour reduced the margin for survival.

Still, the ranger pressed on through the dark, navigating snow-covered terrain and steep sections near the summit. The mission had shifted from a rapid extraction to a desperate ground search in worsening conditions.

Shortly before 10 p.m., at approximately 9:51 p.m., the ranger located Brianna near the summit. Sadly, she was showing no signs of life and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The only silver lining in this tragedy was that her dog was found alive and uninjured and was safely rescued from the mountain.

The Final Determination

Harsh weather conditions delayed the recovery of Brianna's body until early the following day, when a helicopter lowered two rangers to the site.

An autopsy was conducted on February 14 at Glens Falls Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica. Authorities determined that the cause of death was hypothermia.

After slipping off the trail and becoming stranded near the summit, she had been exposed to extreme cold for hours. In subzero temperatures, the body can lose heat rapidly, especially at high elevation with wind exposure.

As the official findings brought clarity, they also deepened the heartbreak waiting back home.

Remembering Brianna Mohr

In the days that followed, the grief poured out across social media from those who knew and loved her.

On February 14, her mother, Stephanie West, shared a photo of herself with her daughter and wrote, "I am so lost 😭💔" in a post on Facebook. The short message captured a pain that did not need elaboration.

Two days later, her brother Ryan posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, parts of which were later reported by the Asbury Park Press.

"Dear Bri, I never thought I would have to do this but I just want to say you were the best friend and sister I could have ever asked for," he wrote, remembering how she helped shape the person he became.

He called her "the coolest person I know" and thanked her for always being there when he needed advice or even just a ride to the job she helped him get. He then added:

"When we meet again we will pick up right where we left off, I love you forever Bri. Rest in peace."

One of her friends also shared a memory. On February 17, Jennifer Applegate-Schwester wrote, "Had some sad news confirmed today. I was fortunate to have traveled with Bri Mohr on an adventure to Québec/Montréal in June of 2019. Bless you and wishing you peace."

Through their words, a fuller picture emerged of a young woman who was adventurous, supportive, and deeply loved.

A Stark Reminder

Winter hiking on Mount Marcy draws those seeking challenge and breathtaking views. But it also demands respect for conditions that can shift without warning.

Brianna's final act was calling for help. Rescuers responded quickly and continued searching into the night, and yet the cold still proved relentless.