The investigation of a woman’s death at her California home last week has been complicated by evidence of a bear breaking into her house, authorities said. 

On Nov. 8, sheriff’s deputies in Sierra County received a call informing them that Downieville resident Patrice Miller, 71, had not been heard from for several days. Upon arriving at the home, deputies forced entry and discovered Miller dead. They also found the home ransacked by a bear, but believe this occurred after Miller’s passing. 

“The bear caused damage to the front door, refrigerator and made a large mess inside the house,” Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher told SFGATE. The animal also interfered with Miller’s body, but details have not been made public out of respect to the family. “It is believed that Patrice Miller passed away before a bear, possibly drawn by the scent or other factors, accessed the residence,” Fisher said. 

The animal has since returned to the home. “Deputies have chased it off the property several times,” Fisher said. Foul play is not suspected in Miller’s death, though the cause of death is still pending. 

“The sheriff’s office is working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to piece together the sequence of events leading up to this incident,” Fisher said. “The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Patrice Miller during this difficult time.”