BELLA COOLA, B.C. - A mother and her daughter have been found dead in a suspected grizzly bear attack on a trail outside Bella Coola, on British Columbia’s Central Coast, the BC Conservation Officer Service says. The Snooka West Trail remains closed while officers work to trap any bears involved.
The two were reported missing by family on Sunday, November 1, 2026, after they did not return from a walk. Bella Coola RCMP and search and rescue crews launched a search, and on Monday afternoon the mother was found deceased in the Snooka West Trail area, about eight kilometres east of Bella Coola. The search continued for her daughter, who was found deceased on Tuesday afternoon.
Inspector Jeff Tyre of the BC Conservation Officer Service said evidence at the scene suggests a grizzly bear was involved. It is not yet clear whether more than one bear took part. Conservation officers are working to locate and trap any bears connected to the incident; a captured bear will be assessed, and if it is determined to have been involved, it will be dispatched under the province’s human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety.
Officials are urging the public to stay away from the Snooka West Trail area, both for their own safety and to allow officers to work. The victims’ remains have been returned to their families. Police and conservation officers have not released the women’s names.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the victims during this tragic time. We are in contact with the family to offer any support we can as we continue to investigate this incident,” Insp. Tyre said.
The BC Coroners Service, Bella Coola RCMP, Bella Coola Valley Search and Rescue and Nuxalk Nation liaisons are involved in the investigation. In a statement, Nuxalk Nation Elected Chief Samuel Schooner said the Nation understands first-hand the trauma the incident will inflict on the victims’ family, on the victims of last year’s attack, and on the wider community.
The deaths come less than a year after a grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary school students and teachers on a trail near Highway 20 on November 20, 2025, injuring 11 people. The Conservation Officer Service says there is no indication the two incidents are connected.
On Wednesday, November 4, Insp. Tyre gave a further statement on the investigation alongside Sergeant J.R. Gohn of the Bella Coola RCMP and a representative of the Nuxalk Nation. Apna News will update this story as officials release more information.
(Source: BC Conservation Officer Service, statements November 3-4, 2026)
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