Jenny Balcarras, right, and her daughter, Selah Reed are shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - GoFundMe, Mary Melissa Smith (Mandatory Credit)

By The Canadian Press

Conservation officer says multiple bears may be behind B.C. attack that killed two

Nov 4, 2026 | 9:53 AM

BELLA COOLA — The Conservation Officer Service in British Columbia says more than one grizzly may have been involved in a bear attack that relatives say left a mother and daughter dead in Bella Coola along the province’s central coast.

The service’s Insp. Jeff Tyre says in a video message that the second body had been found in a search by RCMP and conservation officers on Tuesday afternoon that followed the discovery of the first set of remains a day earlier.

He says it’s “not yet clear if more than one bear was involved,” and any bears captured in the area will be assessed.

Family members of art therapist Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed, had reported them missing on Sunday.

A fundraiser set up by relative Mary Melissa Smith says Reed was 20, “with her whole life ahead of her,” while Balcarras leaves behind three young adult children, as well as a grandchild.

Last seen Nov. 3

Missing: Zalyeka Littlechild-Ermineskin, 16, of Maskwacis

1h ago

Armed with a knife

Didsbury RCMP charge 57-year-old man after alleged break and enter

16h ago

Nov. 11-13

Agri-Trade Equipment Expo set for next week in Red Deer

18h ago

Tyre says efforts to capture the bear or bears involved in the attack continue, and any animals captured by the service will be killed in accordance with provincial guidelines to make sure the public is safe.

The attack comes nearly a year after a grizzly attack on a group of 20 elementary school students and teachers in the same area, which left one adult and three children badly hurt.

The animal involved in that attack last November was never captured.

Tyre says officers are in regular contact with the Nuxalk Nation and the community in Bella Coola to provide updates, and people should continue to stay away from the west trail area of the Snootka trail system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Conservation officer says multiple bears may be behind B.C. attack that killed two

What's Trending