DNA links 4 grizzly bears to deadly attack on mother and daughter in Canada, officials say

According to Fox News, the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service announced that forensic testing has conclusively linked an adult female grizzly bear and her three offspring to the deaths of 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her 20-year-old daughter, Selah Reed, near Bella Coola. The bears were captured and euthanized in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict guidelines to ensure public safety. Inspector Jeff Tyre described the event as heartbreaking for the families and the local community. The victims had gone missing after walking on the Snooka West Trail, and their bodies were recovered on November 2 and 3. Investigators determined the encounter likely involved predatory behavior. Officials also confirmed through DNA testing that these bears were not involved in a separate 2025 attack on a school group in the same region.

