‘Too early’ to speculate on link between grizzly attacks in B.C. community, officials say

B.C. conservation services discuss the investigation into the deadly grizzly attack that left a mother and daughter dead in Bella Coola, B.C.

There’s a large population of bears living in B.C.’s Bella Coola Valley, where a mother and daughter were tragically killed in a grizzly attack this week.

That hasn’t stopped speculation the incident may have involved the same bear that mauled a group of local school children last year—and which was never captured, despite an intensive effort to locate the animal.

Insp. Jeff Tyre of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service was asked about the possibility of a connection twice Wednesday while providing an update on the latest attack, but stressed that it was “too early to even speculate.”

“There are so many bears in the valley,” Tyre added. “It’s really too early to draw any conclusions.”

He did note conservation officers have a DNA profile of the grizzly from the November 2025 attack, which left three children and an adult seriously injured.

• Conservation officers call off search for grizzly that attacked B.C. school group

Officers will be creating a similar profile of the bear or bears that killed art therapist Jenny Balcarras and her daughter Selah Reed, who were reported missing Sunday and later found approximately 150 metres apart on the Snooka Trail System, near the remote community of Bella Coola.

That profile will help the B.C. Conservation Officer Service determine whether any grizzlies captured over the coming weeks were responsible for the deaths—and potentially draw or rule out a connection to last year’s attack as well.

“That would be the only linkage we could put towards that,” Tyre said.

Community in shock

Balcarras left behind three other adult children and a grandchild, according to a GoFundMe set up to help the family with funeral expenses.

In August, she had started working as a counsellor for the local high school. Colleague Jayme Kennedy told CTV News the students took a fast liking to Balcarras, who was filling an important role for the community.

“What an amazing addition to the team—just a very kind, loving person,” she added. “To say that we are shocked and horrified is an understatement.”

Kennedy said Bella Coola residents are still reeling from last year’s attack on a group of elementary students out on a field trip, which resulted in a full-time conservation officer being posted in the area.

“It is very scary,” she said. “And unfortunately, it does feel a little bit like déjà vu.”

• Conservation officer says multiple bears may be behind B.C. attack that killed 2

Belcarras was found dead Monday, while the body of her daughter was located the following day.

Reed was just 20 years old, according to the GoFundMe set up by relative Mary Melissa Smith.

“She was only beginning her journey into adulthood, making this loss even more heartbreaking,” the fundraiser reads.

Terry Webber, chief administrative officer of the local Nuxalk Nation, said the community has once again implemented a curfew, similar to after last year’s attack.

“Transportation, community supports and cultural supports” are also being provided once more, Webber told reporters during Wednesday’s update on the incident.

“We would like to provide our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of the victims,” he said. “Our continued priorities are safety for the community.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson