Mother and daughter found dead after bear attack near Bella Coola

A suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola, British Columbia, has left a mother and daughter dead. Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, were reported missing by their family on Sunday after failing to return from a Saturday walk on the Snooka West Trail.

The body of Jennifer Balcarras was found on Monday afternoon, November 2, in the Snooka West Trail area. Search efforts involving conservation officers, the RCMP, and Bella Coola Valley Search and Rescue continued for a second missing individual.

“It's surreal. It doesn't seem real. It feels like a dream.”

The second victim, Selah Reed, was located dead during search efforts on Wednesday afternoon. The BC Conservation Officer Service said search operations have now concluded.

Conservation officers continue working to locate and capture any bears involved in the incident. It remains unclear whether more than one bear took part in the attack.

Any bear captured will be assessed under provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines. A bear determined responsible for the attack will be dispatched to ensure public safety.

The agency remains in regular contact with the Nuxalk Nation, community members, law enforcement, and emergency response partners. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.

A fundraiser has been launched to cover funeral costs for the pair. The page describes the deaths as an unimaginable tragedy and notes that Jennifer had recently moved to Bella Coola to begin a new chapter in her life.