Canadian authorities say multiple grizzlies may have attacked mother, daughter found dead

MONTREAL, Nov 5, (AP): More than one grizzly may have been involved in a bear attack that relatives say left a mother and daughter dead in Bella Coola along the province’s central coast, the Conservation Officer Service in British Columbia said.

The service’s Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a video message that the second body had been found in a search by Royal Canadian Mounted Police and conservation officers on Tuesday afternoon that followed the discovery of the first set of remains a day earlier.

He said it’s “not yet clear if more than one bear was involved,” and any bears captured in the area will be assessed.

Family members of art therapist Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed, had reported them missing on Sunday.

Balcarras’ brother, Matthew Balcarras, said Wednesday that his sister was “incredibly strong” and had lived in many difficult, remote places, including Alaska, before moving to Bella Coola on B.C.’s central coast a few months ago.

“She was a beautiful artist and was an inspiration for me and my brothers,” Matthew Balcarras said of his sister.

Authorities have imposed a curfew on the community, about 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver, as the search for the animal or animals behind the attack continues. If the “offending bear” is captured it will be killed to protect public safety, Tyre said.

A fundraiser set up by relative Mary Melissa Smith said Reed was 20, “with her whole life ahead of her,” while Balcarras leaves behind three young adult children, as well as a grandchild.

Balcarras left behind a son, two daughters and a grandson who now are “faced with the devastating loss of their mother,” while navigating the financial burden of arranging funeral services, Smith said.