Tragedy in Canada as grizzly bear kills mother and daughter

A mother and her 20-year-old daughter have died in a suspected grizzly bear attack in British Columbia, Canada, after going missing during an afternoon walk.

The victims were identified as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed. Their family reported them missing on November 1 after they failed to return from what was expected to be a short walk in the Bella Coola area.

Their remains were discovered during search operations involving conservation officers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Balcarras was found on Monday, while her daughter was located on Tuesday.

The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said evidence recovered from the scene suggested that an animal may have been involved in their deaths. Officials are now working to locate any bears potentially responsible for the incident.

Jeff Tyre, an inspector with the conservation service, said investigators had not yet established whether one or multiple bears were involved.

He added that any bear captured during the investigation would undergo an assessment. If an animal is confirmed to have been involved in the fatal attack, it will be euthanised under provincial wildlife conflict response guidelines to ensure public safety.

The deaths have left the family devastated. Jennifer’s brother, Josh Balcarras, described the mother and daughter as extremely close, saying they shared several interests and enjoyed spending time together.

He recalled that the two were rarely apart, particularly during outdoor activities, adding that whenever Jennifer went hiking, Selah would accompany her.

Jennifer had recently relocated to Bella Coola to pursue a new career and begin a fresh chapter in her life. An online fundraising campaign has been launched to help the family cover funeral expenses.

British Columbia is home to an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 grizzly bears. The species is classified as vulnerable in the province and is considered an important part of its natural environment.

Although encounters between grizzly bears and humans are relatively uncommon, attacks can occur when the animals are startled or feel threatened, particularly while protecting their cubs or food.

The latest deaths come amid several reported bear attacks in British Columbia in recent years. In October 2025, a grizzly bear attacked two hikers in the McGregor Mountain area, leaving both seriously injured. One of them later died from critical injuries, while the bear was subsequently found dead.

A month later, another bear attack in the Bella Coola region left 11 members of a school group injured.

The increasing number of reported encounters has also prompted debate over human-wildlife interactions. The British Columbia Wildlife Federation has previously argued that conflicts between bears and people have increased since the province introduced a ban on grizzly bear sport hunting in 2017.