DNA Links Four Grizzlies to Fatal Attack on Mother and Daughter in Canada

WHO:

ABC News World - Canadian wildlife officials said four grizzly bears were linked to the fatal attack on a mother and her adult daughter.

IJR - DNA testing linked a sow grizzly and her three cubs to the attack.

Global News - Insp. Jeff Tyre of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said investigators linked a sow and her three offspring to the attack.

Global News - A GoFundMe page identified the victims as Jenny Balcarras and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed.

Global News - The fundraiser said Balcarras leaves behind three young adult children—a son and two daughters—and a grandchild.

WHAT:

ABC News World - Four grizzly bears were linked by DNA to the killing of a mother and her adult daughter.

IJR - Officials killed all four bears, saying bears responsible for fatal attacks pose an ongoing risk to the public.

Global News - The Conservation Officer Service said the four bears had been “dispatched.”

Global News - Tyre said the attack “likely involved predatory behaviour,” which he described as very rare.

Global News - Tyre said, “we don’t know how it started, but we know how ended.”

Global News - The fundraiser said Balcarras had recently moved to Bella Coola to begin a new career and a new chapter in her life. It described the loss as leaving her family with funeral costs for both victims.

Global News - Tyre said the four bears were not involved in the 2025 attack in the same area that involved school children.

WHERE:

ABC News World - The attack occurred in western Canada.

IJR - The attack occurred near Bella Coola, British Columbia.

Global News - The attack occurred in Bella Coola, British Columbia; one victim’s remains were found in the Snooka West Trail area.

WHEN:

Global News - One victim’s remains were found on Monday; the second victim’s remains were found Tuesday afternoon during search efforts by conservation officers and the RCMP.

Global News - The attack was described as having occurred “last week.”

WHY:

IJR - Officials said the bears were killed because bears responsible for fatal attacks pose an ongoing risk to the public.

Global News - Tyre said the bears were dispatched “to protect the public,” following consideration of the evidence and provincial human-wildlife-conflict response guidelines.

HOW:

ABC News World - Investigators believe the attack was a rare predatory attack.

Global News - The Conservation Officer Service said evidence from the investigation and animal DNA conclusively linked the attack to the sow and three offspring.

Global News - Conservation officers and the RCMP conducted search efforts in which the second victim’s remains were found.

(UPDATED November 11, 2026 01:08 UTC)

DNA linked four grizzly bears to the fatal attack on a mother and daughter near Bella Coola, British Columbia. Officials killed the sow and her three cubs, citing an ongoing risk to public safety. Investigators said the attack likely involved rare predatory behavior; authorities found both victims during search efforts.