By Salma El-Sakka
A grizzly bear believed responsible for killing a woman and her daughter near Bella Coola, British Columbia, remains at large as conservation officers search for the animal, which may be the same bear that attacked a school group last year.
Victims Identified
Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed, were killed over the weekend on British Columbia's central coast. The attack occurred only 3 to 4 kilometres from where a grizzly injured eleven schoolchildren and teachers on a trail on November 20, 2025.
Search for the Bear
Conservation Officer Service inspector Jeff Tire said the aggressive bear from last year's attack was never captured, though its DNA was collected. Officials have set new traps to catch the bear involved in the latest attack and determine whether it is the same animal.
Timeline of Discovery
The alarm was raised when Reed missed a routine Saturday night call with her sister. By Sunday morning, the family asked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to check the home in Bella Coola. The women's car was found locked at a trailhead, but they were missing. Relatives from Vancouver Island and Calgary mobilized, learning on Monday that Balcarras had been killed. When they arrived Tuesday to join the search for Reed, her remains had also been located.
Difficult Recovery
Searchers found Balcarras first, then Reed in a bear cache — a concealed food stash — within about 100 metres of the trailhead. Difficult terrain and the bear's behaviour complicated the recovery. Identification relied on clothing and tattoos; the coroner will use DNA and dental records for confirmation.
Community Impact
Terry Webber, chief administrative officer for the Nuxalk Nation, said the killings were triggering for families still healing from last year's attack. The community has imposed a curfew and is providing mental health services to ensure safety and support.
Background on the Victims
Balcarras, an art therapist, moved to Bella Coola during the summer after living in Alaska, where her children were born. Her brother Matt described her as a strong single mother comfortable living among wildlife, noting that neither she nor her daughter were naive about the risks.
Investigation Continues
Grizzly bears are common in the area, but no recent problem-bear reports had been received. Conservation officials are using DNA analysis to establish whether the bear responsible for the two deaths is the same one that attacked the school group in 2025.
