Mother, daughter found dead after suspected grizzly attack

Mother, daughter discovered dead after suspected grizzly attack. Julia Gomez USA TODAY.

Key points

• The victims in the November 2025 attack were part of a school group walking on a trail when they were attacked, Reuters documented.
• Conservation Officer Service confirmed on social media that the women's bodies were identified near the Snooka West Trail.
• "Our thoughts are with the family of the victims during this tragic time, " Inspector Jeff Tyre remarked in an official note posted on the agency's Facebook page.
• Investigators have not determined whether Balcarras and Reed applied any measures to deter the bear during the suspected attack, Tyre stated during Wednesday's news conference.
• A mother and daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack while walking on a trail in British Columbia, Canadian authorities stated.

Mother, daughter discovered dead after suspected grizzly attack. Julia Gomez USA TODAY. Bears euthanized after attacking woman in backyard in Index.

Two bears suspected of mauling a woman in her backyard and causing serious injuries in Index have been put down by wildlife authorities.

Meanwhile, a mother and daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack while walking on a trail in British Columbia, Canadian authorities stated.

Notably, the bodies of Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, were discovered near a trail in Bella Coola after they were noted missing when they failed to return home from a walk, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

In practice, the agency remarked 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 remarked in an official note 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 documented missing Nov. After they did not return from their walk, CBS News and Canadian broadcaster CBC documented, 1.

Balcarras' body was discovered Nov. 2, and Reed's body was discovered the after afternoon. Their bodies were discovered almost a mile apart, Tyre noted 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 remarked office-holders may have a clearer picture as the investigation continues.

Notably, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service confirmed on social media that the women's bodies were identified near the Snooka West Trail. Authorities have asked residents to stay away from the trail for their safety and to allow officers to continue investigating the area. Authorities to apply DNA testing to identify bear.

Notably, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service intends to continue capturing bears in the area and conducting DNA testing in a bid 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 remarked.

Authorities do not yet know whether more than one bear was involved. Children attacked by bear in area almost a year ago.

For context, the deaths come almost a year after another grizzly bear attack in Bella Coola left three children and an adult seriously injured.

Meanwhile, the victims in the November 2025 attack were part of a school group walking on a trail when they were attacked, Reuters documented.

In practice, the group, which included students and teachers, had halted 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.

Meanwhile, 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 remarked it was "too early to speculate on that."

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 [email protected]. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around mother, daughter found dead after suspected grizzly attack point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.