Two women found dead near Bella Coola in suspected bear attack

Two women, a mother and her adult daughter, were found dead near Bella Coola, British Columbia, after going missing during a walk, and conservation officers are investigating a suspected bear attack. The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service said the first remains were found Monday and the second victim was located Tuesday afternoon during a search by conservation officers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Relatives had reported Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed, missing after they did not return from a walk on the Snooka West Trail. The service said it was not yet clear whether one bear or more than one was involved. Officers are working to locate and capture any bears that may have been involved, and any captured animal will be assessed. The service said an animal determined to have been involved would be killed under provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety. Search efforts have concluded, the service said, while efforts to locate and capture bears continue. It urged people to stay away from the trail area. Inspector Jeff Tyre said officers were in regular contact with the Nuxalk Nation and the Bella Coola...