By Karim Hammam
Conservation officers in British Columbia are searching for a grizzly bear that killed a woman and her 20-year-old daughter over the weekend near the community of Bella Coola on the province's central coast.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20. Family members raised the alarm when Reed missed a routine Saturday night call with her sister. Police found Balcarras' vehicle at a trailhead, but the two were missing. Their remains were discovered days later, with Reed's found in a bear cache.
Previous Attack in Same Area
The killings occurred only 3 to 4 kilometers from where a grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers on Nov. 20, 2025, injuring 11 people, two critically. That bear was never captured, though officials collected its DNA. Authorities are now setting new traps to determine if the same bear is responsible for the latest attack.
Search Complications
Difficult terrain and the bear's behavior delayed the recovery effort. Searchers located Balcarras first, then Reed's remains in a bear cache about 100 meters away. Identification relied on clothing, tattoos, and will be confirmed through DNA and dental records.
Community Response
The Nuxalk Nation has imposed a curfew and is providing mental health services, as the attack has retriggered trauma from last year's incident. Chief administrative officer Terry Webber said the community is still healing and safety is the priority.
Background on Victims
Balcarras, an art therapist, had moved to Bella Coola during the summer after living in Alaska. Her brother Matt Balcarras described her as a strong single mother comfortable in wilderness settings, noting that neither she nor her daughter were naive about wildlife.
