For months, 71-year-old Pactica Miller was stalked by a persistent black bear that terrorized her home in a remote California town.
Neighbors and friends were alarmed by her repeated complaints about the animal, which appeared to show no signs of fear or retreat. Despite her efforts to protect herself, including installing steel bars on her windows and calling the bear “Big B-ard,” she lived in increasing fear, unsure of what would happen next.
The ominous presence of the bear would eventually culminate in a tragic, terrifying event that would shock the small community and mark a grim chapter in California history: the state’s first recorded death from a black bear attack.
What at first appeared to be an inconvenience quickly turned into a deadly encounter, leaving questions about the causes of the bear’s relentless behavior, as well as the role that human habits may have played in the fatal outcome.
Seventy-one-year-old Patice Miller said she had been harassed by a black bear for several months. Tragically, the bear eventually broke into her home in California and killed her. Last November, the police discovered her remains, partially consumed.
At first, investigators thought Miller might have died first, the bear then being attracted to the smell of her decomposing body. But neighbors said Miller often complained about the bear’s presence. She called him “Big B-ard” and said he often visits her house. The woman reportedly lived in fear of the animal and took precautions such as installing steel bars on her windows to keep the bear out.
Despite her efforts, the bear managed to break down her door. Miller’s death marked the first fatal black bear attack in California history. “It looked like the bear had probably been there for several days feeding on the remains,” Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher said. Officers found Miller’s remains, a broken door, feces in her living room, and blood and paw prints. This evidence painted a grim picture of her final moments.
A black bear kills a woman.
According to the coroner’s report, the bear likely dragged Miller from her bed into the living room, where it eventually killed her. But what led to the long-term harassment? One local resident offered an explanation. “The small town is right in the middle of an area where bears like to hang out,” said Catilin Roddy of California Fish and Wildlife’s North-Central Region.
When Miller went missing, her friends became concerned and asked the police to check on her. Cassie Koch recalled, “When I was little, you never saw a bear in town. Now they are everywhere and going around. It’s easy pickings for them.” According to Koch, Miller’s compassion may have contributed to the bear’s persistence. Although she wanted the bear gone, she did not want to harm it.
Why was Miller targeted? Koch speculated that Miller’s vegetable garden and compost, along with her sometimes late garbage disposal, may have attracted the bear to her property.
After the tragic death, officials found and euthanized the bear responsible for the attack.
Patice Miller’s tragic death highlights the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, particularly in areas where human development intersects with natural habitats. Despite her efforts to protect herself, including installing steel poles and trying to avoid harming the bear, Miller’s compassion and lifestyle eventually became a dangerous lure for the animal.
This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing presence of wildlife in populated areas and the need for proper measures to manage human-wildlife conflicts. After Miller’s death, authorities moved quickly to euthanize the bear, but the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and proactivity when dealing with interactions with potentially dangerous wildlife. As urbanization continues to encroach on natural lands, communities, and wildlife professionals alike must find ways to safely coexist to prevent further tragedies.