Two women killed in suspected grizzly attack near Bella Coola
November 4 2027 - Two women have been found dead after a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola on British Columbia’s central coast.
Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 19, were reported missing by family on Sunday after they failed to return from a walk on the Snooka West Trail on Saturday afternoon.
Their vehicle was found at the trailhead.
Bella Coola RCMP and Bella Coola Valley Search and Rescue began searching.
Remains of one person were located Monday afternoon in the Snooka West Trail area. Evidence at the scene suggested a bear may have been involved, prompting the BC Conservation Officer Service to attend.
The second person was found deceased Tuesday afternoon during continued search efforts by RCMP and conservation officers. Both have now been recovered.
Balcarras had recently moved to Bella Coola and was working as an art therapist and school counsellor. Family described the trail as a short, familiar walk close to home.
The Snooka West Trail is accessed roughly eight kilometres east of Bella Coola off Highway 20.
The community is in shock. Nuxalk Nation elected Chief Samuel Schooner and the Central Coast Teacher’s Association have issued statements of condolence.
A GoFundMe has been started to help the family cover funeral expenses.
Bella Coola is a remote community at the end of Highway 20. The incident comes less than a year after a grizzly attacked a group of about 20 elementary school students and teachers near the community on Nov. 20, 2025, seriously injuring several people. The bear responsible for that attack was never captured.
Conservation officers remain in Bella Coola. Trapping efforts are underway, though no bears have been captured.
Inspector Jeff Tyre said it is not yet clear if one or more bears were involved.
Any bear determined to be responsible will be killed under provincial human-wildlife conflict guidelines.
The public is still urged to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area.
Two women killed in suspected grizzly attack near Bella Coola
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