Anika Markle A Town on Edge
For months, 71-year-old Pactice Miller lived in fear. A black bear had been harassing her in the small mountain town of Downieville, California. She called it “Big Bas*rd” and tried everything to keep it away, even installing steel bars on her windows. But the bear kept coming back.
Neighbors had seen the bear repeatedly lurking around her house. Despite her concerns, Miller didn’t want the animal harmed—she just wanted it gone. Unfortunately, her compassion may have contributed to a tragic fate.
A Horrific Discovery
In November, after not hearing from Miller for days, a friend requested a welfare check. When officers arrived, they found a gruesome scene. Miller’s front door was broken down, and inside, her remains were partially eaten. Blood, paw prints, and bear scat covered the living room floor.
At first, authorities believed Miller had died of natural causes, and the bear had entered afterward, drawn by the scent. However, a coroner’s report later suggested something far worse—the bear had likely pulled Miller from her bed and killed her inside her own home.
Why Did the Bear Target Her?
Miller’s friend, Cassie Koch, theorized that her lifestyle may have unintentionally attracted the bear. She had a vegetable garden, compost, and sometimes delayed taking out the trash—all factors that could lure a hungry animal.
The town of Downieville sits in the heart of black bear territory, and bear sightings have become increasingly common. “When I was a kid, you never saw a bear in town. Now, they’re all over, making their rounds. It’s easy pickins for them,” Koch said.
A Tragic First for California
Miller’s death marked the first documented fatal black bear attack in California history. Authorities later captured and euthanized the bear responsible.
The bear was eventually trapped and euthanized by authorities.
Her story is a chilling reminder of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife—especially in areas where nature and civilization intersect.