This bear, photographed by its victim Darsh Patel, 22, killed him while he was hiking with his friends. Photograph: West Milford Police Department

The cellphone photographs were released by officers, who found the phone with a bite mark near Patel's corpse. Photograph: West Milford Police Department

Shortly after the bear was within 15 feet, the five hikers decided to split up and run for it. Photograph: West Milford Police Department

Darsh reportedly yelled for the other hikers to keep going without him. Photograph: West Milford Police Department

The black bear was circling Patel's body shortly before it was shot to death by police officers. Photograph: West Milford Police Department