A mother and daughter have died in British Columbia, Canada, following a suspected grizzly bear attack, their family announced. Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, were reported missing on November 1 after they did not return from a planned short afternoon walk. Conservation officers discovered their remains in a trail area in Bella Coola, with evidence at the scene suggesting an animal was involved, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).
Search efforts by conservation officers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) led to the discovery of Balcarras' remains on Monday and Reed's on Tuesday. It remains unclear if more than one bear was involved in the incident, an inspector with the BCCOS stated. Any bear captured and determined to have been involved in the attack will be euthanized in accordance with provincial guidelines to ensure public safety.
Balcarras and Reed were described by Balcarras' brother, Josh Balcarras, as being very close, sharing hobbies and frequently hiking together. Jennifer Balcarras had recently relocated to Bella Coola to begin a new career. An online fundraiser has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses.
Grizzly bears are designated as a species of "special concern" under federal legislation and are considered an important part of the British Columbia ecosystem. The province's Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks estimates between 10,000 and 13,000 grizzly bears inhabit the area and classifies them as vulnerable. Human-bear conflicts are described as relatively uncommon unless the animals feel threatened or are protecting food or cubs.
However, British Columbia has seen several bear-related incidents in recent years. In October 2025, two hikers were injured, and one later died from critical injuries following a grizzly bear attack in the McGregor Mountain area. The bear involved was later found dead. The following month, also in the Bella Coola area, a bear attacked a school group, injuring 11 people.
The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) has noted an increase in grizzly-human conflicts since the province implemented a ban on grizzly bear hunting in 2017. The organization's executive director, Jesse Zeman, suggested that reduced hunting pressure leads to greater overlap between grizzly bear and human populations, resulting in inevitable consequences.