Four grizzly bears killed after fatal attack on mother and daughter in Canada

Four grizzly bears have been killed after investigators linked them to the deaths of a mother and her adult daughter near Bella Coola in western Canada, British Columbia wildlife officials said. The animals were a female grizzly and her three cubs, all of which authorities said were involved in the fatal attack.

The victims were Jennifer Balcarras, 48, also known as Jenny, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20. The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said evidence collected during the investigation, including animal DNA, conclusively linked the four bears to their deaths. Officials said the animals were killed to protect public safety.

Inspector Jeff Tyre announced the findings at a briefing on November 10. He said investigators believed the attack likely involved predatory behaviour, which he described as very rare. However, he cautioned that authorities did not know how the encounter began, leaving an important part of the circumstances unresolved despite the forensic findings.

The women's remains were discovered near a hiking trail after relatives reported them missing earlier in the month. Balcarras was found first, followed by Reed, with their remains located about 150 metres apart. The discoveries prompted an investigation and trapping operation to identify which bears had been involved, rather than assuming that any animal found nearby was responsible.

Balcarras was an art therapist who had moved to Bella Coola during the summer. Her brother, Matthew Balcarras, described her as experienced in remote environments, including Alaska, where she had previously lived. Relatives said both women were familiar with wildlife, challenging any suggestion that they were simply inexperienced visitors to bear country.

The deaths have brought renewed distress to a community still recovering from another grizzly attack in the same area. A school group was attacked in November 2025, injuring children and adults. Officials said DNA testing ruled out the female grizzly and her three cubs as the animals responsible for that earlier incident, distinguishing the two cases despite their geographical proximity.

The decision to kill all four bears reflected the public-safety assessment following the forensic investigation. Tyre said bears involved in fatal attacks on people could not be rehabilitated or relocated because of the risk they posed. The findings identified the animals involved, but did not provide a complete reconstruction of the women's final encounter.

Nuxalk Nation Chief Councillor Samuel Schooner said the deaths had renewed trauma for community members affected by the previous attack. He asked for the privacy of the family and community to be respected. Wildlife officials said they remained committed to working with the Nuxalk Nation and Bella Coola community to help prevent future conflicts with bears.