Woman’s 2023 death was first fatal black bear attack on a human in California records, officials say

DOWNIEVILLE, California — A woman found dead in a mountain community last year was the victim of the first documented fatal black bear attack on a human in California, authorities said.

The death occurred in Downieville, a small town in the Sierra Nevada, two hours northeast of the state capital, TV station Sacramento. KCRA reported Wednesday.

On Nov. 8, Sierra County sheriff’s deputies checking on the well-being of a resident who had not been seen in several days found a broken door and bear feces on the porch, Sheriff Mike Fisher told the station. Inside were the remains of Patrice Miller, 71.

“It appeared the bear had probably been there for several days and had been feeding on the remains,” Fisher said.

It was initially believed that Miller died before the bear’s arrival and that it may have been attracted to 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 on the property was trapped and euthanized, according to Fisher.

Then came the findings of Miller’s autopsy, which were first reported by The Mountain Messengera local weekly newspaper.

“Patrice had died as a result of a bear mauling or a swipe and a bite to the neck,” Fisher said.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed this was the first report of a fatal black bear attack on a human in the state.

“It’s a big deal,” said Steve Gonzalez, department spokesman. “That doesn’t happen in California. Normally a bear will stay away from you, a bear that is not normalized to human behavior.”

Investigators learned from Miller’s daughter that her mother had constant problems with bears trying to enter her home, and that she had physically struck one.

Another bear subsequently became a problem in Downieville and was euthanized after trying to break into a gym, resulting in a significant decrease in bear activity, the sheriff said.

DNA testing confirmed that the first euthanized bear was responsible for Miller’s murder.

Bears enter homes or trash cans in search of food have become a problem in California – of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra to the foothills of Los Angeles, where some are known for raiding refrigerators and taking backyard dips swimming pools and hot tubs.