Mother and Daughter Killed in Suspected Grizzly Bear Attack in British Columbia

A mother and her adult daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack in British Columbia, Canada, according to The Guardian. The two women have been identified as Jenny Balcarras, an art therapist, and Selah Reed, who was 20.

Relatives reported the pair missing over the weekend. Their vehicle was later found at a trailhead near Bella Coola, a community in British Columbia. Conservation officers said the women were located near a trail a short distance from their home. Balcarras's remains were found first, and Reed was located a day later.

The suspected attack took place in the Snooka West trail area, about 8 kilometres east of Bella Coola. Balcarras had recently moved to the community for a new job. She leaves behind three adult children and a grandchild.

Conservation officers are investigating the possibility that more than one bear was involved in the fatal attack.

Grizzly bear encounters with people have drawn attention in the province before. In November 2025, a grizzly attacked a school group on a walking trail in British Columbia, seriously injuring three children and one adult, Reuters reported.