The BC Conservation Officer Service said it found one victim’s remains on Monday and the second on Tuesday during a search near the Snooka West Trail area.
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A mother and daughter were believed to have been killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack near Bella Coola, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service.
The service said the remains of one person were found in the Snooka West Trail area on Monday. It later said the second person’s remains were found on Tuesday afternoon during search efforts by conservation officers and the RCMP.
A GoFundMe page identified the victims as Jenny Balcarras and her daughter, Selah Reed. A family member who started the fundraiser said Balcarras recently moved to Bella Coola to start a new career and begin a new chapter in her life.
The campaign description said Selah was 20 years old, and that Balcarras leaves behind three young adult children — a son and two daughters — and a grandchild. It also said the family is facing the financial burden of arranging funeral services and covering expenses for both Jenny and Selah.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, the Conservation Officer Service said officers were searching for any bears involved in the attack and that any bears determined to be involved will be killed to protect public safety.
Insp. Jeff Tyre with the BC Conservation Officer Service said no bears were captured in traps overnight, and urged the public to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area while officers carry out the work.
Tyre said the search was highly dangerous and that a team of conservation officers was working on the ground in Bella Coola.
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