Conservation officers euthanized the animal after Deb and Jay MacDonald were found dead near their cabin at McTavish Lake.
LA RONGE, Saskatchewan — A bear killed a retired Regina couple at a remote lake in northern Saskatchewan, provincial authorities said, after relatives became concerned when the pair stopped responding to calls during a fishing trip.
Family members identified the couple as Deb and Jay MacDonald, who were in their early 70s. They had flown to McTavish Lake, about 90 kilometers north of La Ronge, to stay at their cabin and spend time fishing. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Community Safety confirmed July 17 that a bear was involved in their deaths. Conservation officers located and euthanized the animal, which was being sent for a veterinary examination.
La Ronge Royal Canadian Mounted Police received a call July 15 about a suspected wildlife incident at the lake. Officers responding to the isolated area found two people dead. The province initially described the deaths as potentially related to wildlife while police, conservation officers and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service investigated.
Deb MacDonald’s brother, Donjames LeBlanc, told CBC News that relatives contacted police after calls to the couple went unanswered. He said Jay MacDonald was found near the lakeshore. Deb MacDonald was later found in a wooded area near the cabin, according to the family’s account.
Authorities have not released a detailed account of the attack or said whether the couple encountered the bear together. Officials also had not publicly identified the bear’s species, age or physical condition. LeBlanc said the couple had previously spoken about seeing black bears in the area, but the type of bear involved has not been officially confirmed.
The Ministry of Community Safety said the bear would undergo a necropsy at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. The examination may help investigators evaluate the animal’s health and gather other information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. No results had been released as of Sunday.
The RCMP took part in the initial investigation. After authorities determined the deaths were not considered suspicious, responsibility for the case shifted to the Saskatchewan Conservation Officer Service and the Coroners Service. The Conservation Officer Service’s Wildlife Human Attack Response Team was also deployed to the area.
Family members said Deb MacDonald had worked as a nurse before retiring, while Jay MacDonald had worked in the farm equipment industry. The couple maintained a cabin at the fly-in lake, where their family said they had planned to fish during the trip.
Provincial officials advised cabin owners, residents, visitors and other people using the outdoors to remain cautious around wildlife. Authorities had not announced closures or additional searches connected with the attack. The investigation remained active while officials awaited the necropsy findings, though the ministry said it did not expect to provide further updates at that stage.
Author note: Last updated July 19, 2026.