Episode Summary: "The Wild Hog Theory" – The Unforgotten Podcast

Host: Wes Ferguson
Date: February 23, 2026
Season 4 Bonus Episode

Overview

This bonus episode of The Unforgotten addresses a persistent listener theory: Could feral hogs have killed Christopher Whiteley? Host Wes Ferguson revisits the evidence, sharing insights from federal wildlife expert Mike Bodenchuk, and delves into a harrowing real-life case of a fatal hog attack in Texas. The episode explores the likelihood of feral hog involvement, debunks common myths, and lays out alternative theories, giving listeners a chilling look into the dangers posed by wild hogs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Feral Hog Theory and Evidence at the Scene

• Listener Curiosity: Many fans questioned why feral hogs weren’t a bigger focus as a possible cause of Christopher Whiteley’s death, especially given the presence of pig tracks at the scene.
• Expert Input:
  • Mike Bodenchuk, with 34 years’ experience investigating animal attacks, was involved in the original investigation.
  • Pig tracks were documented about 30 feet from Christopher’s backpack, but they belonged to a small pig likely just passing through ([02:44]).
  • Drone surveillance confirmed the presence of wild hogs near the area.

Quote:

“So finding pig tracks in the woods, that's just another Tuesday in Texas. But Mike was looking for more than tracks. He was looking for signs of predation, signs of an attack, and signs of feeding, and he didn't find any of that.”
— Wes Ferguson [04:41]

2. Rarity and Danger of Feral Hog Attacks

• Expert Analysis:

  • Feral hog attacks on humans are extremely rare.
  • Attacks usually occur if a sow feels her piglets are threatened, or a boar is cornered ([03:35]).
  • Mike and Wes both stress the generally non-aggressive nature of wild hogs (“they're always running the other way”).

• Prevalence:

  • Texas has an estimated 2–3 million feral hogs, causing extensive property damage ([04:28]).

3. No Physical Evidence Pointing to Hogs as Killers

• Forensic Findings:
  • No tusk marks, goring, trampling, or evidence of feeding were present on Christopher’s body.
  • Christopher’s body was intact except for a “horrible wound to [his] neck and some superficial scratches from running through the woods” ([04:41]).
  • The observed hog signs were coincidental, not indicative of a pig-attack scenario.

Quote:

“Mike's conclusion was clear. The pig tracks were just a coincidence. Pigs had been in the area, probably rooting around for food, but they had not attacked Christopher.”
— Wes Ferguson [04:41]

4. Alternative Theory: Hog-Hunting Dogs

• Catch Dog Scenario:
  • In rural Texas, hunting wild hogs with specially trained pitbulls (“catch dogs”) is common ([05:50]).
  • Theory: Christopher may have encountered a fight between a catch dog and a hog, attempted to intervene, and was attacked by the dog in a reflexive, adrenaline-driven bite.

Quote:

“It's possible that he heard a pig squealing, went out there and found a dog and a pig locked up and tried to intervene and the dog actually turned on him just as a... as a reflex.”
— Mike Bodenchuk [06:35]

• Dog and pig tracks were found at the scene, as was a distinctive throat wound; blood evidence suggested Christopher may have been kneeling when attacked ([08:03]).

• Debates in Evidence Interpretation:

  • Wes notes more blood appeared on the boots in photos than Mike recalled, but largely supports Mike’s reasoning for a kneeling posture during the attack ([08:27]).

• Skepticism about a Struggle:

  • Wes points out that no signs of a significant scuffle (broken branches, disturbed earth) were documented, which casts some doubt on this theory ([08:27]).

5. Real-Life Fatal Case: The Anahuac Hog Attack

• Case Summary:
  • In November 2019, Christine Rollins, a 59-year-old caregiver in Anahuac, Texas, was attacked and killed by a pack of feral hogs while walking to a client's house before dawn ([12:58]).
  • Multiple tusk wounds, clear evidence of predation, and feeding on her body were found ([14:20]).

Quote:

“That was the damnedest thing I have ever seen. That's even weirder than this. That feeding on a human body is nightmare.”
— Mike Bodenchuk [01:08], [15:22]

• Sheriff Hawthorne and Mike agree: this was an extraordinarily rare but definitive predatory hog attack, confirmed by forensic evidence.

Quote:

“She died of exsanguination. She... bled to death. And there were dozens, if not hundreds of holes from tusks... They ate meat off of that. Like a predatory attack.”
— Mike Bodenchuk [14:45]

• Comparison to Christopher’s Case:
  • Unlike Christine’s, Christopher Whiteley’s body showed no signs consistent with a hog attack at all—no multiple wounds, no feeding, and minimal hog presence ([15:42]).

Quote:

“If feral hogs killed that woman in Anahuac, could they have killed Christopher Whiteley? The answer is no. At least not in the way they killed Christine Rawlins...”
— Wes Ferguson [15:42]

6. Conclusion: Theories Left Open

• Feral Hogs as Killers: Now proven possible, but highly unlikely in the specific manner of Christopher’s death; evidence does not match attack patterns seen in known fatal hog attacks.
• Catch Dog Hypothesis: The most plausible of the discussed alternative explanations, but still speculative and not fully supported by physical scene evidence.
• Unanswered Questions: The investigation was closed before full exploration of the animal attack possibilities; some aspects may never be resolved.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the horror of a hog attack:

  “Feeding on a human body is nightmare.” — Mike Bodenchuk [01:08], [15:22]

• On rare hog fatalities:

  “Feral hog attacks are extremely rare... But it's not unheard of for a feral hog to attack a human.” — Wes Ferguson [03:35]

• On scene evidence:

  “There were pig tracks near the body... But pig tracks in the woods in Texas is not an awful thing.” — Mike Bodenchuk [03:20]

• On best safety practices in hog country:

  “Don’t approach them, don’t harass them, don’t corner them. Back away slowly ... Just give them some space. Don’t hassle them and they won’t hassle you.” — Wes Ferguson [17:43]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 – Theory Introduction & Mike Bodenchuk’s Credentials
• 02:44 – Evidence at Christopher Whiteley’s Death Scene
• 03:35 – Feral Hog Behavior and Attacks Overview
• 04:41 – Why Feral Hog Theory Doesn’t Fit
• 05:50 – Hog-Hunting Dogs and Alternative Theory
• 08:03 – Forensic Analysis of Christopher’s Injuries
• 12:28 – The Anahuac, TX, Fatal Hog Attack
• 14:45 – Detailed Forensic Description of the 2019 Attack
• 15:42 – Comparison and Conclusion
• 17:43 – Safety Advice for Encountering Feral Hogs

Summary Takeaway

This episode debunks the widely-circulated "feral hog theory" in Christopher Whiteley’s death, driven by audience questions and grounded in Mike Bodenchuk's deep field experience. The evidence for a fatal hog attack just isn’t present in Christopher’s case, despite precedent in Texas. The more plausible (but unproven) alternative: an adrenaline-fueled, accidental attack by a catch dog during a hog hunt. The story ends with sobering advice about the real risks of wild hogs—and a reminder that some mysteries may never be fully solved.