Mother and Daughter Found Dead in Suspected Grizzly Bear Attack in British Columbia

A mother and her teenage daughter were found dead in the central coast region of British Columbia following a suspected grizzly bear attack, local authorities reported. The victims were identified by family members and media reports as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed.

Family members reported the pair missing on Sunday after failing to hear from them. A joint search effort involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local search and rescue teams, and the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service was launched. Search crews located Balcarras's body on Monday afternoon near the Snooka West Trail in Bella Coola, situated about 430 kilometers northwest of Vancouver. Reed's remains were discovered in the same area on Tuesday afternoon.

BC Conservation Officer Service Inspector Jeff Tyre stated in an online video statement that evidence at the scene suggests a bear was involved in the tragedy. Authorities are actively working to locate and capture any animals connected to the incident, though officials noted it remains unclear whether one or multiple bears were responsible. Any captured bear linked to the fatal encounter will be euthanized in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety.

Relatives shared that Balcarras had recently relocated to Bella Coola to start a new career chapter as an art therapist working at a local school. Her brother, Matthew Balcarras, described her as an avid outdoors person and noted that the trail where they were found was very close to their home, suggesting the two had intended to go for a brief afternoon walk. Reed was described by her family as a young woman just beginning her journey into adulthood with her whole life ahead of her.

In response to the tragedy, the Conservation Officer Service has urged the public to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area to ensure safety and allow investigators adequate space to conduct their work. Additionally, the Nuxalk Nation Chief and Council issued a precautionary recommendation advising community members to avoid going outside alone and to follow an evening indoor curfew.

Because Balcarras had recently moved and had not yet established savings, her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral services and the associated expenses of bringing them home. As the investigation continues, officials are collaborating with local law enforcement, search and rescue teams, the BC Coroners Service, and the Nuxalk Nation.

This fatal encounter marks the second major grizzly bear incident in the Bella Coola community in just over a year. In November 2025, an aggressive grizzly attacked a group of elementary school students and teachers in the valley, leaving multiple people injured, some critically.