A mother and daughter have been found dead after a suspected grizzly bear attack during what was supposed to be a “casual walk” through the woods in British Columbia, Canada, according to CBC News. Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, were reported missing, after which their bodies were subsequently recovered a day apart from the Snooka West Trail near Bella Coola, as per a statement by the Conservation Service Officer. Authorities believe the pair may have been attacked by one or more grizzly bears, although investigators have not yet determined how many animals were involved. The discovery has prompted an investigation and efforts to locate the bear or bears potentially responsible. In a video message, investigator Jeff Tyre said officials were still working to establish what happened during the encounter. “It is not yet clear whether more than one bear was involved,” Tyre explained. He added that any captured bears would be assessed and that animals confirmed to have participated in the attack would be dispatched under provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety. It is unclear how many grizzly bears were involved Tyre also confirmed that Bella Coola Valley is home to “numerous grizzly bears” and that authorities had received reports of sightings in the area. However, no bears had been caught in the traps overnight as officers continued their search. The two bodies were reportedly found approximately 492 feet apart. When asked why it took authorities longer to locate the second victim, Tyre declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation and respect for the family. The tragedy has also left the victims’ loved ones struggling to cope with an unimaginable loss. Jennifer’s brother, Josh Balcarras, told CBC that the mother and daughter were familiar with the trail and had only planned to take what he described as a “casual walk.” Jennifer worked as an art therapist in Bella Coola and was a mother of four. She had recently moved to the area to pursue a new career and begin another chapter of her life, according to a GoFundMe organized by her loved ones. Selah, meanwhile, was just 20 and studying through Athabasca University’s online learning program. Her family described her as a “gentle, sweet, quiet soul” who had her whole life ahead of her. There were about eight deadly bear attacks between 2020 and 2022, according to World Animal Foundation. On average, about two to three people are killed each year in North America in a grizzly bear attack.