Royal Canadian Mounted Police Investigate Missing Woman and Mother

A routine family call turned into a frantic search effort when 20-year-old Selah Reed failed to answer her sister's Saturday night phone call.

Concerned relatives asked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate after not hearing from Reed or her mother, Jenny Balcarras, by Sunday morning.

A check on their home in Bella Coola, British Columbia, revealed that Balcarras' car was missing and the doors were locked.

The family's anxiety grew as they found the car parked at a trailhead up the road but there was still no sign of Reed or her mother.

Eleven people were injured, two of them critically, in the bear attack that occurred on November 20, 2025. The incident has left a trail of trauma in its wake, with officials still trying to determine the extent of the damage.

Despite efforts to capture the aggressive bear responsible for the attack, it remains at large. However, authorities have managed to collect DNA samples from the animal, which may aid in their investigation. This information could also help them establish whether the same bear was involved in a similar incident last year.

The fact that more than one bear might be involved has added complexity to the situation. To address this uncertainty, officials have set up new traps in an effort to catch the bear and gather further evidence. This will not only help them determine the cause of the attack but also inform their strategies for preventing future incidents.

A curfew has been imposed on the community by the Nuxalk Nation, while mental health services are being provided to help those affected cope with the trauma. The incident is considered a triggering event for families who were already traumatized by last year's bear attack, and officials are working to support them during this difficult time.

Locating remains in a cache is a challenging task, especially when they are not easily visible. In this case, it took officials some time to find the woman's niece, and by then she was identifiable only by her clothing. Her sister, who was also found in a similar condition, could be identified thanks to several small tattoos.

The coroner's investigation will involve multiple methods to confirm the identities of the victims. DNA analysis and examination of dental work are among the procedures that will be carried out. These steps are crucial for providing closure to the families affected by this tragic incident.

Balcarras was known for her ability to thrive in challenging environments, a trait that served her well during her time in Bella Coola. The area is home to grizzly bears, which are common in the region surrounding the community.

Her physical abilities and character were a testament to her resilience and strength, according to those who knew her.

She had a unique ability to coexist with wildlife, moving through their territory with ease and confidence.

This wasn't just a product of circumstance, but rather a result of her upbringing, which involved living in the wilderness with her young children.

The experiences she had during this time likely played a significant role in shaping her perception of nature and its inhabitants.

A separate incident occurred earlier this year when a hunter sustained severe injuries from a grizzly bear attack in Elkford region of British Columbia. In May 2024, he was left with significant injuries including broken bones and lacerations after the animal attacked him.

The hunter managed to shoot the bear in self-defense, and it was later found dead. This incident came on the heels of another serious bear attack that occurred near Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia last July.