World · North America · 16 mins ago
One dead and one missing after suspected grizzly attack near Bella Coola
A woman was found dead after a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola, on British Columbia’s Central Coast.
Her 19-year-old daughter is still missing, and family members reported both missing on Sunday.
Conservation officers found the woman’s remains Monday in the Snooka West Trail area, where evidence suggested a bear may have been involved.
The incident has raised concern in a community where a grizzly attacked schoolchildren and teachers last year, badly injuring an adult and three children.
Officers are searching for and trying to trap bears that may have been involved, but none had been captured as of Tuesday.
The Snooka trails are closed to the public while the investigation and search continue.
Any captured bear will be assessed, and a bear identified as responsible will be killed under provincial guidelines to protect public safety.
A woman was found dead and her 19-year-old daughter remained missing after a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola, British Columbia.
The mother and daughter had been reported missing by relatives on Sunday.
Conservation officers found the mother’s remains on Monday while searching for the pair.
The suspected attack took place in the Snooka West trail area, about eight kilometres east of Bella Coola.
Officers said trapping efforts were under way and urged the public to stay away from the trails.
The incident comes about a year after a grizzly bear injured members of a school group near Bella Coola.
- Who
- Jenny Balcarras, an art therapist, was found dead; her 19-year-old daughter is missing.
- What
- Authorities are investigating a suspected grizzly bear attack.
- When
- The pair were reported missing on Sunday; the mother was found on Monday. The articles were published on November 3 and 4, 2026.
- Where
- The Snooka West trail area, about eight kilometres east of Bella Coola, British Columbia.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Relatives reported Jenny Balcarras and her daughter missing.
Conservation officers found the mother’s remains while searching for the pair.
Authorities said the search for the daughter continued and that efforts to trap any bears involved were under way.
- Victim
- Jenny Balcarras, an art therapist
- Missing person
- Balcarras’s daughter, 19
- Location
- Snooka West trail area, about 8 kilometres east of Bella Coola
- Search status
- Daughter’s search ongoing
- Bear response
- Trapping efforts under way; CBC reported no bears had been captured
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What people are saying
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this tragic time. We are working to support the family as our investigation continues,
While the full circumstances are still unfolding, we understand first-hand the trauma this incident will inflict upon the victims’ family members, the victims of last year’s attack and the community at large.