McAlester Woman Severely Injured in Mysterious Animal Attack

Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office seeks help identifying the wild animal behind the brutal mauling.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a torn piece of clothing or other physical evidence from the crime scene, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of the case.Evidence from a brutal animal attack raises more questions than answers for local authorities.McAlester Today

A McAlester woman named Alicia Maxey was severely injured on Sunday morning in a remote yard near Blanco. She was found about an hour later by the homeowner, who was an EMT and began lifesaving measures until Maxey could be airlifted to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition. Investigators said the scale of Maxey's injuries is unlike anything they've seen in over 30 years, leaving them puzzled about what kind of animal attacked her.

Why it matters

This incident has shaken the local community and raised concerns about public safety, as the identity of the attacking animal remains unknown. Determining the species involved is crucial to understanding how to prevent future attacks and ensure the community's wellbeing.

The details

Alicia Maxey told authorities that she remembered pulling up a gate before hearing a deep growl, and then the animal bounced on her, knocking her to the ground and immediately attacking. Maxey received extensive wounds on her face, arms, and legs, and has already undergone four surgeries. The Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office is working with Oklahoma Wildlife Services to identify the animal, and evidence including the victim's ripped clothing has been sent to a lab for DNA testing to determine if the animal was a dog, bear, or mountain lion.

  • The attack occurred on Sunday morning.
  • Maxey was found about an hour after the attack by the homeowner, who was an EMT.
  • Maxey has already undergone four surgeries since the attack.

The players

Alicia Maxey

A McAlester woman who was severely injured in a mysterious animal attack on Sunday morning.

Pittsburg County Sheriff Frankie McClendon

The sheriff who stated that in 38 years, he had never been involved in or seen anything to the extent of the injuries caused by the wild animal attack on Maxey.

Oklahoma Wildlife Services

The agency that the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office is working with to identify the animal responsible for the attack on Maxey.

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What they’re saying

“In 38 years I had never been involved or seen anything to this extent as far as injuries caused by a wild animal.”

— Pittsburg County Sheriff Frankie McClendon

What’s next

The Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office is waiting for the results of DNA testing on the evidence collected from the scene to determine the species of the animal involved in the attack on Alicia Maxey.

The takeaway

This brutal attack has left the local community shaken and searching for answers. Identifying the responsible animal is crucial to understanding how to prevent future incidents and ensure public safety in the area.