Deb and Jay MacDonald had traveled to their remote cabin for a fishing trip before relatives reported losing contact with them.
LA RONGE, Saskatchewan — A retired Canadian couple died in a bear attack at a remote lake in northern Saskatchewan, where conservation officers later located and euthanized an animal suspected of being involved, provincial authorities said.
Relatives identified the victims as Deb and Jay MacDonald, a couple in their early 70s from Regina. They had traveled to a cabin at McTavish Lake to spend time fishing before family members became concerned when they could no longer reach them. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Community Safety confirmed Friday that a bear was involved in the deaths.
La Ronge Royal Canadian Mounted Police received a call July 15 about a suspected wildlife incident at the lake. Investigators found two people dead in the area. Officials initially described the deaths as potentially wildlife-related while conservation officers, police and the provincial coroner’s service examined the scene.
The Ministry of Community Safety confirmed the bear’s involvement July 17. Conservation officers located and euthanized the animal after what the ministry described as a careful investigation. Officials did not publicly identify the species, age or condition of the bear.
The animal was being transported to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy. That examination could provide information about its health and other factors that may help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding the attack. Officials had not released the results as of Saturday.
Deb MacDonald’s brother, Donjames LeBlanc, told People, citing an interview with CBC News, that the couple had planned to stay at their cabin and do some fishing. He said relatives contacted police after calls to the couple went unanswered.
LeBlanc said Jay MacDonald was found near the lakeshore. Searchers later found Deb MacDonald in a wooded area near the cabin, according to the family’s account. Authorities have not publicly provided a detailed sequence of the attack or said whether both victims were together when they encountered the bear.
The couple had previously spoken about seeing numerous black bears in the area, LeBlanc said. However, provincial officials had not publicly confirmed what type of bear was involved, and the investigation remained underway.
Family members said Deb MacDonald had worked as a nurse and Jay MacDonald had worked in the farm equipment industry before they retired. A memorial Mass was held Thursday at Christ the King Church in Regina, according to the family account reported by People.
The deaths were initially examined as suspicious, but authorities later determined that they were not considered criminal in nature. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police transferred responsibility for the continuing investigation to the Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service and the provincial coroner’s service.
The Ministry of Community Safety advised cabin owners, residents and visitors in the region to remain cautious around wildlife. Officials did not announce any additional bear searches, closures or public restrictions connected with the incident.
The investigation remained active Saturday as authorities awaited findings from the bear’s necropsy and continued examining the circumstances at McTavish Lake. The ministry said it did not expect to release further updates at that stage.