British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service says more than one grizzly bear may have been involved in an attack that killed a mother and daughter in Bella Coola, a remote community on the province’s central coast.
Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a video message that a second body was recovered Tuesday afternoon after a search by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and conservation officers, a day after the first set of remains was found. Tyre said it is “not yet clear if more than one bear was involved,” and that any bears captured in the area will be assessed.
The victims were art therapist Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed. Family members reported them missing on Sunday.
Matthew Balcarras, Jenny’s brother, described her as “incredibly strong,” noting she had lived in a number of remote and difficult places, including Alaska, before settling in Bella Coola a few months ago.
“She was a beautiful artist and was an inspiration for me and my brothers,” Matthew Balcarras said.
Authorities have imposed a curfew on the community, located roughly 620 miles north of Vancouver, as the hunt for the animal or animals responsible continues. Tyre said that if the “offending bear” is caught, it will be killed to protect public safety.
A fundraiser organized by relative Mary Melissa Smith said Reed was 20 years old, “with her whole life ahead of her.” Balcarras leaves behind three young adult children and a grandchild. Smith said the family is now navigating both grief and the financial burden of funeral arrangements.
The Central Coast Teachers’ Association said on social media that Balcarras had joined the school community as a counselor in August, devoting “countless hours to connecting with the students she served” and working closely with teachers and staff on student well-being.
A Community Already Scarred
The deaths come almost exactly a year after a grizzly attacked a group of 20 elementary school students and teachers in the same area, injuring one adult and three children. The bear responsible for that November attack was never caught.
Kim Titchener, founder of the Calgary-based Bear Safety & More Inc., said she grew alarmed when she saw reports of the missing women circulating in Facebook hiking groups.
“When I saw that they were missing and in the area that they were missing, my heart just dropped because I just kind of knew this could be a bear attack,” Titchener said. “This community and area have suffered so much last year.”
Bella Coola is known for a large population of grizzly and black bears, and Titchener said it is common for residents to see bears near their homes. She pointed to “concerning pressures” on bear populations across British Columbia, driven by habitat loss and food stress from drought and climate change, which she said are fueling more encounters between bears and people.
“I don’t know if Bella Coola suffered from any drought issues, but certainly other parts of the province of BC did,” Titchener said.
