A retired Canadian couple was killed in a suspected bear attack after traveling to a remote Saskatchewan lake for what was supposed to be a peaceful fishing trip.
Deb and Jay MacDonald, both in their early 70s, had gone to stay at their cabin near McTavish Lake when family members became concerned after they stopped answering calls, according to CBC News.
On Wednesday, July 15, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to a report of a “wildlife incident” in the area, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Community Safety said in a statement. Officers found two people dead near the lake.
Deb’s brother, Donjames LeBlanc, said the retired couple had planned to spend time at the cabin and do some fishing.
“They were going to go up and do a little fishing and so on,” LeBlanc told CBC News.
When the couple failed to respond to repeated calls, relatives contacted police. LeBlanc said Jay was found dead near the lakeshore, but Deb could not initially be located, forcing authorities to suspend the search for the day.
Her body was discovered the following day in the woods near the cabin.
“I don’t know what happened exactly,” LeBlanc said, adding that the couple had previously spoken about seeing numerous black bears in the area.
Two days after the bodies were found, officials confirmed that the couple had been attacked by a bear. The animal was later euthanized and transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy.
Deb had worked as a nurse, while Jay spent his career in the farm equipment industry, according to CBC News.
A Mass was held in their honor at Christ the King Church in Regina on Thursday, July 16.
Authorities initially treated the deaths as suspicious, but investigators later determined there was no indication of criminal activity.
“The RCMP was involved in the initial investigation, but as this death is not considered suspicious in nature, the investigation will now be managed by the Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service and Coroner’s Service,” the Ministry of Community Safety said.
The agency thanked the RCMP for its assistance and said the wildlife incident remained under investigation.
Officials also offered condolences to the couple’s family and warned residents, cabin owners and visitors to remain alert for wildlife in the area.
“The MCS extends sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident,” the ministry said.
you go into the wilds of nature not armed at least with bear spray , and this is what you get stupid fools . Must have been a overflow of the stupid people here in the USA good god !
So sad