A woman was found dead during a search for two hikers near Bella Coola, British Columbia, while her 19-year-old daughter remains missing. Authorities suspect a grizzly bear may have been involved, though the circumstances have not yet been established.
The women were identified as Jenny B. and her daughter. Bella Coola, a community of about 2,100 people, lies roughly 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. The surrounding area is popular with hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, and is also home to grizzly bears.
Samuel Schooner, a representative of the Nuxalk Nation, said the community understood the trauma the incident could cause for the family and residents, as well as for families affected by an attack in the area the previous year.
In November 2025, a grizzly attacked a group of elementary school students in Bella Coola, leaving several seriously injured, including two in critical condition, according to Canadian Press reporting citing local emergency responders. The bear was not found despite an extensive search.
An estimate cited in the report puts the grizzly population in British Columbia at around 16,000.
Sources: Der Spiegel.