Canadian wildlife officials announced Tuesday that DNA tests have conclusively linked four grizzly bears to the deaths of Jenny Balcarras, 48, and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed. The attack, which occurred earlier this month near Bella Coola, British Columbia, is being investigated as a rare predatory incident, according to the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service.
The bears—a female grizzly and her three yearling cubs—were captured and killed to ensure public safety. Inspector Jeff Tyre stated that while the exact sequence of events remains unknown, the nature of the attack suggests predatory behavior, which is exceptionally uncommon for grizzlies.
The remains of Balcarras and Reed were discovered approximately 490 feet apart on a trail. Family members alerted authorities after Reed failed to make a scheduled call. Searchers found Balcarras's remains first, followed by Reed's in a location where bears typically store food.
Officials clarified that these bears were not involved in a separate grizzly attack last November that injured eleven people, including two critically, near the same area. The recent deaths have deeply affected the Nuxalk Nation community, prompting a voluntary curfew and police escorts for children attending school. Samuel Schooner, the Nuxalk Nation’s elected chief councilor, noted the attack's re-triggering effect on community members still recovering from the previous incident and assured ongoing support services.