Coyote Maul Victim was Budding Music Star

Taylor Mitchell, 19-year-old Musician Killed by 2 Coyotes in Canadian Park, Was Touring to Promote her New Album

(CBS/AP)  A promising young musician who was mauled by two coyotes as she was hiking alone in a national park in eastern Canada, was a singer-songwriter from Toronto who was touring to promote her new album on the East Coast.

The victim, Taylor Mitchell, 19, died Wednesday of her injuries, authorities said.

Mitchell was hiking solo on a trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia on Tuesday when the attack occurred. She was airlifted to a Halifax hospital in critical condition and died Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Mitchell was an up-and-coming folk and country musician who was nominated for a 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award in the Young Performer of the Year category.

"Words can't begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant, and phenomenally talented young woman," Lisa Weitz, Mitchell's manager, said in an e-mail. "She just turned 19 two months ago, and was so excited about the future."

After graduating from high school in 2008, Mitchell decided against going to college and opted to write music and sing full-time, the Toronto Star reports. She released her debut album, For Your Consideration, in March and began her first major tour a few weeks ago.

"She had just gotten her (driver's) licence and her first set of wheels to take her on the road to the Maritimes," Weitz told the newspaper.

On Saturday, Mitchell performed at Broadway Cafe in Sussex, New Brunswick, where "she rocked and gave a fabulous show," owner Randi Griffin told the newspaper. "She was charming and engaging."

If music was Mitchell's first love, the outdoors and horses were next on the list, according to the newspaper.

"She loved the woods, being out with nature," said Weitz, who first met Mitchell a year ago and worked with her on the CD release concert.

Mitchells' family set up a memorial fund in her name on her Web site.

Coyotes, which also are known as prairie wolves, are found from Central America to the United States and Canada. Wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft said coyote attacks are extremely rare because the animals are usually shy.

Bancroft, a retired biologist with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said it's possible the coyotes thought Mitchell was a deer or other prey.

"It's very unusual and is not likely to be repeated," Bancroft said. "We shouldn't assume that coyotes are suddenly going to become the big bad wolf."

Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Brigdit Leger said other hikers heard Mitchell's screams for help on Tuesday and called emergency police dispatchers.

Police who were in the area reached the scene quickly and shot one of the animals, apparently wounding it. But the wounded animal and a companion coyote managed to get away.

Paul Maynard of Emergency Health Services said Mitchell already was in critical condition when paramedics arrived on the scene and had multiple bite wounds over her entire body.

"She was losing a considerable amount of blood from the wounds," he said.

An official with Parks Canada said they blocked the entrance to the trail where Mitchell was attacked and were trying to find the animals to determine what prompted such an unusual attack.

"There's been some reports of aggressive animals, so it's not unknown," said Helene Robichaud, the park's superintendent. "But we certainly never have had anything so dramatic and tragic."

[Iamthemango]

She was 19 years old and probably weighed 95 lbs holding a 5 lb bag of sugar.

[fedup12]

I wonder how this happened. Coyotes in Kansas are about the size of a big bobcat.

I could take 2 out with just my boot. They must grow em bigger up Canada way.

[Empire_George]

by mecanik-2009 October 29, 2009 6:58 PM EDT
Why wasn't she armed hiking in the woods like that. Do Canadians carry guns in the woods. Or is that an American thing.
_______________

Ask Erasmus, She said Canada has very strict gun laws, and as a folk music singer, most likely she wouldn't be found anywhere near a weapon

[fedup12]

She shoulda been hiking with Uncle Ted Nugent. Not only would they have fought off the coyotes they would have ate them for dinner.

[displeased]

The most dangerous animals one needs to worry about encountering in the wilderness are other humans. Hikers should especially fear the paranoid suburbians who feel the need to arm themselves. If you're too scared to go hiking, then please stay home!

[DaVicar8]

I always go hiking in my car...
IF a coyote gets too close, I just roll up the window.

[fedup12]

'paranoid suburbians'

That is a new SUV from Chevy? Twice as big with half the gas mileage.

[ubrew12]

I backpack alone with a walking stick 2" in diameter and 6 ft tall. I'm fairly certain that predators take this into account when they make their 'fight or flight' decision. Mountain Lions are the main thing to worry about, but in northern climes Grizzly Bears, Wolves and Coyotes are also something to worry about. I recommend this technique to all smaller folks walking in the wild, since predators also take your overall size into account. I've also seen people backpacking with pictures of mountain lion faces pasted to the backs of their backpacks, but that seemed extreme. Bottom line: make yourself appear larger and they'll usually back away.

Others have suggesting packing a gun into the wild. I don't because of the weight. A good knife is always a good thing to have along.

Attacks like this are incredibly rare, but get A LOT of press. As such, they tend to scare people from entering the wild. Thats a shame. The wild has so much beauty and history to tell those who enter. This young woman was completely correct in going there for its beauty and inspiration, and sadly 'lived longer' than many who are fearful of the wild, and who thus live through their TVs. I hope more young people enter the wild, as I think it has the power to heal profoundly, change lives for the better, and turn people into true global citizens with a love for all mankind and all nature.

[My_Contribution]

I agree about getting into the outdoors. However, as someone from a family of hunters who have direct experience with all animals from moose and direct altercations with grizzly bears, I would advise you the following:

Carry a stick, a knife, and a gun if you choose. However, when you are charged by a grizzly bear you'll be lucky to find the strength to struggle for your knife when claws and fangs have rendered you breathless from an attack from behind, not to mention by an animal that can run faster than a horse. No, the best gear any one in the woods can have is a can of bear spray strapped across their chest. For most people this is the most effective. If you are attacked though, NO GUN NO KNIFE NO STICK will save your life if your time is up. Some survive attacks but then you're fighting for your life and no prep can completely help you with the unpredictable.

Be prepared but respect the wild.

c.2009

[nextgenman09]

I backpack alone with a walking stick 2" in diameter and 6 ft tall. I'm fairly certain that predators take this into account when they make their 'fight or flight' decision.
-------

Way false sense of security. The only fatality by a bear in the Smokey Mtns happened to an extremely experienced backpacker - with a stick.

[berlinfoto-2009]

Has some one been feeding the Coyotes in this part of Canada?
I once encountered a Coyote that was not shy it was begging to be fed.
It apparently had no fear of me, however it ran off when I went back to my car and let my dog out.
People feed the sparrows, and pigeons here in Berlin, when they get too thick around a out door restaurant, somehow or another the whole flock disappears.

[prajaowain]

She must have let her fear cause her to panic. Panic is the worse thing . Coyotes are not very large. If it was me a full grow man that does not panic I could of easily injured one and scared the other one off with a stick or a knife, even my hands and feet. I could kill a full grow dog with my bare hands. Give it something to bite then break it's neck. That poor woman.

[My_Contribution]

"She must have let her fear cause her to panic".

Unless you're someone who can kill a grizzly bear with your bare hands or a modest hunting knife you best not troll around on these boards to be so incredible insensitive. Friends and family are mourning and it is her fault? No one, I repeat NO ONE can predict a situation. Even the best prepared encounter brushes with death.

You'd best just express your condolences.

As for the comments from Berlin re: feeding Coyotes, considering some of us actually live in Canada and actually have experience with the wild, coyotes can be fearless, almost to the point of being arrogant. This is only increased when an animal is hungry. Yes feeding wild animals can be problematic but sometimes wild animals act like, well, WILD ANIMALS.

This beautiful and talented young women was simply in a particular place at one moment in time that ended up being "the wrong time". I hope her legacy lives on in the hearts of her friends and family.

[flolake]

""It's very unusual and is not likely to be repeated," Bancroft said. "We shouldn't assume that coyotes are suddenly going to become the big bad wolf."

And we shouldn't assume coyotes WON'T become the big bad wolf, either...

[mecanik-2009]

When we enter the wooded areas of the world we enter back into the food chain. I believe animals are not that stupid. They hunt to survive and know when we are defenseless. Crows know the difference between a stick and a gun. They reason out things and sense danger. If they can do that then bears and coyotes and wolves can reason out things also. Deer seem to know when deer season is and if your holding a gun they know what it is. They can sense a defenseless person and your state of mind. Never run from a animal. Stand your ground. They know when your scared.

[mecanik-2009]

I agree hiking alone was not a good idea especially without a weapon of some sort. I always carry something with me just in case. Hand guns down in the states are light weight and are easy to pack but in Canada I understand they are heavily regulated so that may not have been an option. A lightweight rifle in a small caliber would have been enough in this case. I just dont buy the pepper spray thing with coyotes and bears. I think it would just make the bears mad and they move around so quickly I think at close quarters it would be difficult to use.

[erasmus111]

"I think it would just make the bears mad and they move around so quickly I think at close quarters it would be difficult to use."



For bears, all you gotta do is bang a couple of rocks together. : )

[jsilver2th]

Tragic but NEVER go hiking alone in the wilderness. It is an invitation for trouble even though it may seem placid and gentle. Any wild animal is exactly that and they all live by the rules of the jungle. Who knows what transpired but even to inadvertenly invaid the animals territory, do something even so slight to threaten their young, etc. can be viewed by the animal as aggression. I live where there are many many coyotes and they don't scare me in a normal situation but backed into corner even accidentially and the animal will move quickly to protect themselves and their pack. Even two people in the wilderness is pushing it honestly. You don't want a huge pack to destroy the experience but only a seasoned veteran should even consider going alone unless you like to live dangerously.

[JV1970]

This is why we shouldn't hike alone, not only because of the coyotes but there are many other dangerous animals in the woods. It depends on the area that you hike in but there are bears, wolves, cougars and poisonous snakes in North America, too. It's just a good idea to always take a buddy when hiking. A cell phone and a gun or a knife are good items to take with you too.

[winslowe1]

Hard to figure why the coyotes attacked ... the article doesn't mention whether or not she was singing while hiking.

[ALBrainTrust10]

I'm amazed she was actually taken down by coyotes. They are relatively small and for only two of them to do that is, aside from the horror & loss of life, is fascinating.

They might have been rabid. But if you stand your ground and keep them to your front and stay on your feet, the worst they can do is bite your feet and legs...They have to get your arteries or neck to kill you.

Best not to hike alone in rural wilderness. Carrying pepper spray (used on any wild animal including full size bears) is always a good idea. You don't need a gun. In this case, a good walking stick could have allowed her to defend herself until help arrived.

[rondivoo]

She went hiking alone in the woods... with no means of defense ... she was in the coyotes' territory. Not a smart move on her part! These animals did nothing wrong.

[jessy2009]

you must really have nothing better to do than come on here and take the coyote's side

[KPeters_from_UK]

by jessy2009 October 30, 2009 2:24 AM EDT
you must really have nothing better to do than come on here and take the coyote's side

Unfortunately, your hysteria does not serve you well. You have missed the critical point.

rondivoo is not taking sides but is stating a fact: she entered a different world where the Laws of Nature rule. Just someone else wrote, once she entered the wilderness she became part of the food chain. Yes, it is sad that someone with a huge talent lost her life and the possibilities from that Life is gone but her tragic story must serve as a lesson to all of us: once we enter Nature we become prey. Have respect for Nature and sensibly protect yourself!

[bubbadubba]

A beautiful young woman.
Very sad.
People really should not go hiking in the wild areas alone, that is a bad idea for men or women. Someone could fall and break a leg, get bit by a snake, or get trapped and their would be no one to save them if they are alone. The coyotes would never have attacked if there had been two or three people.
A good point that since animals are allowed to do as they please and we work around their wishes that they think that we are on their food chain.
I never thought of that but it is true.
Canadians do allow hunting rifles so guns are not an issue here.
Haven't you heard the old Canadian joke? "Here in Canada we don't have any murders like in the US, we have 700 "hunting accidents" a year."

[mecanik-2009]

This lady was an awesome singer. I went to her website and listened to her music. Simply awesome. Very talented singer and song writer. She would have rose to the very top of the charts.

[rondivoo]

oh yes, she would have "rose to the very top of the charts" .... how do you know that? ... oh, I see, she is dead now, so suddenly she is the greatest thing that ever was... more "dead people are so great" thinking... sort of like how michael jackson is the greatest performer who ever lived, but was only declared so AFTER he died.

[maypo]

You idiot rondivoo. I've also checked her website and MySpace page. She was a young lady of ability and talent. I, too have listened to the music. Your comparing her to the hoopla surrounding Michael Jackson is uncalled for, cold and insensitive to the death of a very young artist. I would guess you are a very negative, unpleasant person to know.

[DaVicar8]

"She would have rose to the very top of the charts"


Heck, she couldn't even rise to the top of the food chain.

[mike18881]

Canadians have gun las, they can't have guns.

[mike18881]

Make that LAWS, not las. Sorry.

[sshivers]

Just because they have "gun laws" doesn't mean they can't have guns you MORON! Canadians can have guns as long as they are properly registered.

[mecanik-2009]

Why wasn't she armed hiking in the woods like that. Do Canadians carry guns in the woods. Or is that an American thing.

[DaVicar8]

Gun or no gun, the first rule of hiking is "don't feed the coyotes".