Death Bears

Death Bears are stuffed teddy bears and or other various stuffed animals that are left at a location where someone has died tragically - usually as the result of homicide. They are almost always affixed to a tree, utility pole, fence or street sign near or at the crime scene using nails, wire, twine, string, or ribbon. Death Bears are often accompanied by empty liquor, beer, wine or champagne bottles including, but not limited to, 1800 Silver Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka, Seagram's Vodka, Skyy Vodka, New Amsterdam Vodka, Remy Martin, Hennessey, Moet, Boone's Farm, Steel Reserve 211, Magnum and Colt 45. Custom made "Rest-In-Peace" (R.I.P.) style t-shirts bearing the victim's photo, candles, balloons, personal knick-knacks and sometimes actual police crime scene tape can also be present with Death Bears. Death Bears are left by family members, relatives, friends, acquaintances, neighbors and sometimes complete strangers in remembrance of the victim in the form of a memorial shrine.