The death of a woman is the first fatal attack by a black bear in California

A 71-year-old woman found dead in her Sierra County home last November had been attacked by a black bear, the first fatal attack of its kind in California history.

Patrice Miller’s body was discovered in her Downieville home on November 8, 2023, by Sierra County Sheriff’s Office officers who had been called to a welfare check. Officers discovered a gruesome scene with evidence that a bear had likely been in the home for several days and had been eating the woman’s remains, authorities said.

Investigators initially thought she died before the bear entered, but an autopsy report completed last month found Miller was killed when the animal snapped at her or bit her in the neck, Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher told KCRA-TV.

“Black bears are not dangerous animals, but when they view our homes, cabins or campsites as an easy source of food, they lose their natural fear of humans and their behavior becomes increasingly bold,” said Peter Tira, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “This is the most extreme example we have seen in the state’s history.”

Miller’s death is the first known fatal attack by a black bear in California. Grizzly bears, which are depicted on the state flag and are considered more aggressive than black bears, have not been seen in California for 100 years. Reports of black bear attacks in California are rare and have never resulted in a fatality.

Downieville is a small mountain community of about 300 residents on the banks of the Yuba River. It has become a popular destination for mountain bikers and anglers.

The bear, which was not in the house when authorities arrived, was captured near the house after Miller’s death. The bear, a male, was euthanized and DNA analysis confirmed the animal was the one that attacked Miller, Tira said.

Authorities said Miller had a problem with bears on the property before her death. She fed her cats on the porch and had left trash on the property.

Miller’s daughter told officers that “bears were constantly trying to enter through broken windows and that her mother had hit a bear with all her might to keep it from entering her house.” According to a sheriff’s office report, her mother even gave a nickname to one of the bears, who was “a frequent visitor to the house and a nuisance.”

California is home to an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 black bears, which live predominantly in forested or mountainous regions of the state. Adult females can weigh between 100 and 300 pounds, and adult males typically weigh between 150 and 400 pounds, with some even over 500 pounds.

The omnivores, who are skilled scavengers, are known to move into residential areas in search of food, especially during the spring and summer months. Last month, a bear in Monrovia visited a house and left with a packet of Nabisco cookies in its mouth, earning it the nickname “Oreo.”

Black bear encounters that result in human injury are rare in California. Most attacks are defensive, as the bear protects its young or becomes frightened. However, in some cases, a bear that is accustomed to feeding may become aggressive toward humans.

The state Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that people who encounter a bear avoid eye contact, make noise and back away slowly while making themselves larger. If a bear makes contact, the person should fight back, the agency said.

Following Miller’s death, sheriff’s officials urged Downieville residents to close their doors and windows at night, lock their vehicles and remove all outside food sources, including their garbage.

“The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Patrice Miller during this difficult time,” the agency wrote in a press release last year. “The loss of a community member is always a tragedy and our thoughts are with those affected by this unfortunate event.”