A woman's death in 2023 marked the first recorded fatal black bear attack on a human in California, highlighting the increasing bear activity in the state. (Shutterstock)

- A woman was found dead in a mountain community in California.
- The death was the first recorded fatal black bear attack on a human in the state.
- The bear had been feeding on the woman's remains for several days.
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
DOWNIEVILLE — A woman found dead last year in a mountain community was the victim of the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in California, authorities said.
The death occurred in Downieville, a tiny town in the Sierra Nevada, two hours northeast of the state capital, Sacramento TV station KCRA reported Wednesday.
Discovery of the Victim
On Nov. 8, Sierra County sheriff’s deputies checking on the welfare of a resident who hadn’t been seen for a few days found a broken door and bear scat on the porch, Sheriff Mike Fisher told the station. Inside were the remains of Patrice Miller, 71.
“It appeared that the bear had probably been there several days and had been feeding on the remains,” Fisher said.
It was initially believed that Miller died before the arrival of the bear and that it may have been drawn by the scent.
Meanwhile, there were many reports from concerned citizens about a bear repeatedly returning to the house. A state depredation permit was issued and a bear was trapped on the property and euthanized, according to Fisher.
Related Story: Popular California Beach Closed After Shark Bumped Surfer off His Board
Autopsy Findings
Then came the findings of Miller’s autopsy, which were first reported by The Mountain Messenger, a local weekly newspaper.
“Patrice had passed away due to a bear mauling or a swipe and a bite to the neck area,” Fisher said.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that it was the first record of a deadly black bear attack on a human in the state.
“It’s a big deal,” said Steve Gonzalez, a department spokesperson. “That doesn’t happen in California. Normally a bear is going to stay away from you, a bear that hasn’t been normalized to human behavior.”
Investigators learned from Miller’s daughter that her mother had a constant problem with bears trying to get into her home, and that she had physically hit one.
Another bear then became a problem in Downieville and was euthanized after trying to break into a school gym, resulting in a significant decrease in bear activity, the sheriff said.
DNA tests confirmed that the first bear euthanized was responsible for killing Miller.
Related Story: Pro Rock Climber Barrett Gets Life Sentence for Yosemite Sexual Assaults
Bear Activity in California
Bears breaking into homes or trash cans in search of food have become a problem in California — from Lake Tahoe in the Sierra down to the foothill suburbs of Los Angeles, where some have been known to raid refrigerators and take dips in backyard pools and hot tubs.
RELATED TOPICS:
US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law
7 hours ago
US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned
7 hours ago
Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods
7 hours ago
Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran
8 hours ago
Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater
8 hours ago
Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows
8 hours ago
July 4 Weekend Was No Picnic for Fresno-Area Firefighters. How Bad Did It Get?
9 hours ago
Tulare County Seizes 300 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Over Fourth of July
9 hours ago
US Proposes Rules That Could Boost Oil, Gas Output in US West
10 hours ago
Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
6 hours ago
Categories

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran
