Four bears put down after killing mother and daughter five minutes from their house

Four grizzly bears have been put down after an investigation into the death of a mother and her daughter in Canada concluded they were responsible.

Jennifer Balcarras, 48, and her daughter Selah Reed, 20, were reported missing on 1 November after they'd gone out to walk the Snooka West Trail near the town of Bella Coola in British Vancouver, located just five minutes drive from their home.

Balcarras had been to call her family the day before and her relatives reported her missing the next morning after she didn't show up and they couldn't contact her.

Her body was found on Monday, with her daughter's remains recovered the following day, and investigators looked into the possibility that they'd been killed in a bear attack.

DNA tests conducted concluded that a female grizzly bear and her three cubs were responsible for the deaths, and DW reports that they were put down in order to protect the public.

An investigation into the deaths of Jennifer Balcarras and her daughter Selah Reed found they were killed by grizzly bears (GoFundMe)

British Columbia Conservation Officer Service Inspector Jeff Tyre said that they'd found the attack which resulted in the deaths of the two women 'likely involved predatory behavior, which I can tell you is very rare'.

Investigators 'don't know how it started', but they have the full picture of the very lethal consequences.

The bodies of mother and daughter were found around 150 metres apart in the area around the walking trail they'd been on.

Jennifer's brother Josh told CBC 'it's surreal. It doesn't seem real. It feels like a dream'.

He said: "The way it starts is a few hours of not hearing from them. That turns into a day, and then a night … then a second night comes and it becomes a real thing."

Her other brother Matt said that she'd just recently moved to the remote town of Bella Coola, which is located around 1,000 miles north of Vancouver.

The four bears identified as responsible have been put down (GoFundMe)

Jennifer had been a mother of four and a grandmother, Selah had been her youngest child.

Her brothers made it clear they'd been on a 'casual walk' on a trail near their house, not out in a secluded area far from anyone else.

The family have set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses, which has almost reached its target.

The organisers said: Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a meaningful difference and help give this family the opportunity to grieve without the added stress of overwhelming financial responsibilities.

"If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would also mean so much.

"Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time. Every donation, share, and kind thought is deeply appreciated as we come together to support Jenny and Selah's family."