English
Four bears have been killed following a fatal attack in Bella Coola, British Columbia, in which a mother and her adult daughter lost their lives. The BC Conservation Officer Service confirmed the bears were “dispatched” after DNA evidence conclusively linked them to the attack.
Four Bears Identified and Killed
Inspector Jeff Tyre of the BC Conservation Officer Service provided an update on Tuesday. He said investigators identified the bears as a sow and her three offspring. “Evidence from the investigation, as well as animal DNA, was analyzed and conclusively linked to a sow and its three offspring,” Tyre said.
Stay connected to every major update — subscribe and follow us on the PhoenixQ website and across our social media platforms.
Tyre added that the attack “likely involved predatory behaviour,” which he described as very rare. “That is to say, we don’t know how it started, but we know how it ended,” he said. Officials acted under provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety.
Victims Identified as Jenny Balcarras and Selah Reed
A GoFundMe campaign identified the victims as Jenny Balcarras and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed. Conservation officers and the RCMP found the first set of remains in the Snooka West Trail area on Monday. The second set of remains was discovered on Tuesday afternoon during continued search efforts.
A family member launched the fundraiser and described the profound loss. Balcarras had recently moved to Bella Coola to start a new career and begin a fresh chapter in her life. Meanwhile, Selah was just beginning her adult life, making the tragedy especially devastating for those who knew her.
“Jenny leaves behind three young adult children — a son and two daughters — as well as a grandchild,” the fundraiser reads. “They are now faced with the devastating loss of their mother and sister while also having to navigate the unexpected financial burden of arranging funeral services.”
No Link to Earlier 2025 Incident
Tyre confirmed that the four bears were not connected to a separate 2025 incident in the same area involving school children. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack. Further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses.
