In 2014, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. orchestrated a hoax in Central Park by placing a deceased bear cub to mimic a bicycle accident, a stunt disclosed only recently as he preempted a magazine exposé.
The New York Post reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted to his role in a 2014 prank involving a dead bear cub in New York's Central Park. At the time, the incident left the city baffled and sparked a significant police investigation.
Tatiana Schlossberg, then an intern at the New York Times and RFK Jr.’s cousin, covered the story of the bear’s discovery.
She recently disclosed that she was completely unaware that her cousin was behind what turned into a major news event. Schlossberg reported on the incident as though it were a genuine accident, describing the scene as she understood it, based on the facts at hand.
The origins of the prank trace back to Goshen, NY, where Kennedy happened upon the bear, deceased after a vehicle collision.
Intending initially to use the bear for its meat and hide, Kennedy's plans took an impromptu turn due to the lack of a necessary bear tag.
Explaining his decision, Kennedy confessed in a video on social media that his actions were spur-of-the-moment. Unable to proceed with his original plan legally, he and his friends decided during a dinner in Manhattan to place the bear in Central Park.
Influenced by alcohol, they staged the scene to appear as though the cub had been hit by a bicycle—a nod to the prevalent media focus on cycling accidents in the city.
Kennedy described the aftermath in his social media confession, noting the immediate and intense reaction from law enforcement and the media following the bear's discovery by two women. The scene quickly escalated into a major ordeal, drawing widespread attention from the public and authorities alike.
The media frenzy that ensued after the bear cub's discovery involved extensive police presence and even aerial news coverage.
Kennedy, watching the drama unfold on television, quickly realized the gravity of what began as a jest.
Despite the initial shock and ongoing media spectacle, a necropsy conducted in Albany shed light on the incident. It concluded that the bear had indeed been hit by a vehicle, dimming allegations of animal cruelty but leaving many questions about the circumstances of its appearance in Central Park.
Kennedy later expressed his concerns about potential legal consequences, particularly over his fingerprints on the bicycle used to stage the scene. However, as the media storm subsided, so did the scrutiny towards him.
As the years have passed, reflections on this peculiar event have brought to light not only the impulsiveness of the act but also its unforeseen implications. Kennedy's admission seems to serve as a cautionary tale of a prank that escalated beyond anticipated amusement to a major public and police matter.
In recounting her role as a reporter, Schlossberg stated, “Like law enforcement, I had no idea who was responsible for this when I wrote the story.” Her coverage, grounded in the unknown, unknowingly added layers to the mystery that her cousin had created.
The bear hoax of 2014, as it may now be termed, remains a peculiar footnote in the annals of New York City’s unusual history.
It underscores a moment where wildlife, media, and old Kennedy mischief met unexpectedly, leaving a lasting imprint on those directly and indirectly involved.
In conclusion, this incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable ways in which private actions can translate into public spectacle. As Kennedy himself reflected on the consequences of his actions, it became evident how quickly a seemingly humorous act could spiral into a significant public issue.