A mother and daughter were killed in an apparent grizzly bear attack while on a walk on the Snooka West Trail in Bella Coola, British Columbia, according to conservation officers.
Jennifer Balcarras, 48, was found dead on Monday. Her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, was discovered the following afternoon after an extensive search involving conservation officers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Balcarras and Reed were familiar with the trail, which is located a short drive from their home. Their family had last been in contact with Balcarras on Saturday and became concerned when she missed an online meeting that night. A wellness check requested by the family on Sunday morning led police to find Balcarras' vehicle at the trailhead.
Balcarras, an art therapist, was remembered by her brothers as a lover of books, music, painting, and the outdoors. She had four children and was also a grandmother. Reed, her youngest, was an educational assistant studying online and had her "whole life ahead of her," according to a family fundraising page for funeral expenses.
"She was very much a central person in our family," Matthew, Balcarras' brother, told CBC. "It's surreal. It doesn't seem real. It feels like a dream."
The British Columbia Conservation Officer Services (BCCOS) has an investigation team examining the incident. Trapping efforts are underway, and any bears captured will be assessed to determine if they were responsible for the attack. If a bear is identified as the aggressor, it will be euthanized in accordance with provincial guidelines. The BCCOS has urged the public to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area to allow officers to conduct their work safely.