A mother and daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack while walking on a trail in British Columbia, Canadian officials said.
The bodies of Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, were found near a trail in Bella Coola after they were reported missing when they failed to return home from a walk, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
The agency said Tuesday, Nov. 3, that investigators believe the two were killed in a grizzly bear attack.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the victims during this tragic time," Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a statement posted on the agency's Facebook page. "We are in contact with the family to offer any support we can as we continue to investigate this incident."
Balcarras
and Reed were reported missing Nov. 1, after they did not return from their walk, CBS News and Canadian broadcaster CBC reported.
Balcarras' body was found Nov. 2, and Reed's body was found the following afternoon. Their bodies were found nearly a mile apart, Tyre said during a virtual news conference Wednesday, Nov. 5.
USA TODAY has contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service for more information.
How did the bear attack occur?
Investigators are still collecting evidence and have not determined how the suspected attack unfolded. Tyre said officials may have a clearer picture as the investigation continues.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service announced on social media that the women's bodies were found near the Snooka West Trail. Officials have asked people to stay away from the trail for their safety and to allow officers to continue investigating the area.
Officials to use DNA testing to identify bear
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service plans to continue capturing bears in the area and conducting DNA testing in an effort to identify the animal responsible for the attack.
"Any bears that we capture will be assessed. If they are determined to be involved in the attack, they will be dispatched to protect public safety," Tyre said.
Officials do not yet know whether more than one bear was involved.
Children attacked by bear in area nearly a year ago
The deaths come nearly a year after another grizzly bear attack in Bella Coola left three children and an adult seriously injured.
The victims in the November 2025 attack were part of a school group walking on a trail when they were attacked, Reuters reported.
The group, which included students and teachers, had stopped near a river when a grizzly emerged from the forest and attacked. Teachers drove the bear away using bear spray and a bear banger, a device designed to produce a loud noise to scare away animals.
Investigators have not determined whether Balcarras and Reed used any measures to deter the bear during the suspected attack, Tyre said during Wednesday's news conference.
The bear involved in the 2025 attack was never located. Asked whether the same bear could have been responsible for the deaths of Balcarras and Reed, Tyre said it was "too early to speculate on that."
Contributing: Reuters
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mother, daughter found dead after suspected grizzly attack
