Two deaths near Bella Coola investigated as suspected bear attack

Authorities in British Columbia are investigating the deaths of Jenny Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, as a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says remains were found on Monday and a second person’s remains were discovered Tuesday during searches with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The women had been reported missing by relatives on Sunday after they did not return from a walk. Their remains were found in the Snooka West Trail area, where officers are searching for bears that may have been involved. The service has said it was not yet clear whether one bear or multiple bears were responsible. Inspector Jeff Tyre said any bears captured in the area would be assessed. He said an animal determined to have been involved would be killed under provincial human-wildlife conflict guidelines to protect public safety. The service reported that no bears had been captured in its traps overnight as of Wednesday afternoon and urged people to stay away from the trail area while officers work there. Balcarras’s brother, Matthew Balcarras, said she had recently moved to Bella Coola and had built a career as an art therapist....