Woman killed last November in first documented fatal black bear attack in California history

Officials confirmed that the death of a woman in Sierra County last November was the first known and documented fatal attack by a black bear in California history.

According to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, officials last week received an autopsy report and death certificate for a 71-year-old woman who was found in her Downieville home, north of Lake Tahoe, after being attacked by a black bear. The woman was found dead on November 8, 2023.

Department officials said they initially believed a bear had entered the woman’s home after she died, but the Sierra County Coroner confirmed that the bear had bitten the woman to death.

Authorities said the bear was captured and euthanized. DNA analysis confirmed it was the same bear that attacked the woman.