19-year-old Canadian folk singer killed by coyotes

Taylor Mitchell, a 19-year-old Canadian folk singer described as “up and coming,” was killed in attack by coyotes in a Canadian national park on Tuesday.

The attack, described by an expert as “very unusual” and “not likely to be repeated,” occurred when Mitchell was hiking alone in the Breton Highlands national park in Nova Scotia. Passersby called for help when they heard Mitchell screaming, but authorities were too late to save her from the “extremely aggressive” two coyotes that attacked her. The singer was airlifted to a Halifax hospital, were she died yesterday.

Mitchell’s grieving manager, Lisa Weitz, said family and friends are devastated in the wake of the tragedy. She spoke to the Toronto Star and is described as “choking back tears” as she discussed the young woman’s life:

“She had just gotten her (driver’s) licence and her first set of wheels to take her on the road to the Maritimes.”

“She was just exhilarated to be on the road and performing. We are all devastated.”

Mitchell played what was to be her last performance on Saturday, and was set to play Wednesday in Sydney, N.S. She was on a short break from her touring when she set out on the ill-fated hike. Mitchell is only one of two people known to have been killed by coyotes.

[Source: Toronto Star]