Search teams in British Columbia discovered the bodies of Jenny Balcarras, an art therapist, and her 20-year-old daughter Selah Reed near a trail close to their home after they were reported missing over the weekend. Conservation officers said both were killed in a grizzly bear attack and are investigating whether more than one bear was involved.
The two were located late Tuesday near the Snooka West trail area, about 8 kilometers east of Bella Coola, a remote community of roughly 2,100 people on the province's central coast. Balcarras's remains were found first; Reed was located a day later. Their vehicle was found at a trailhead.
Inspector Jeff Tyre of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said in a video statement that officers believe multiple bears may have been involved. "We appreciate people's concerns and the desire to assist but it is critical the public stay out of the area – both due to the danger and to allow officers to do their work," he said.
Balcarras had recently moved to Bella Coola for a new job and to "start a new chapter" of her life. She leaves behind three adult children and a grandchild. A family fundraiser noted she had not yet established savings. The family described Reed as having "her whole life ahead of her" and said the loss was "even more heartbreaking" given her early adulthood.
Grizzly attacks in British Columbia are described as exceedingly rare. Last November, a grizzly attacked a school group near the nearby Nuxalk community of 4 Mile, injuring 11 people, some as young as nine. That bear was never located despite an extensive search. Samuel Schooner, elected chief of the Nuxalk Nation, said his thoughts were with the victim's family and confirmed a trapping effort to find the bear was underway.