Taylor MitchellCanadian folk singer/songwriter Taylor Mitchell was killed by coyotes in a Canadian national park, reports NME.com.

The 19-year old musician from Ontario was hiking alone in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, when she was attacked by two coyotes.

After hearing Mitchell screaming, walkers in the park alerted park rangers, who shot one of the animals. They have yet to locate the second coyote.

Bleeding heavily from multiple bite wounds, Mitchell was airlifted to hospital in Halifax, but died yesterday morning, according to BBC News.

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

Mitchell, a rising star in the folk music scene, was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award in the youth category earlier this year.

Attacks by coyotes on humans are reportedly rare; they usually only prey on hares and deer.

“Coyotes are normally afraid of humans,” said Brigdit Leger, a spokesperson for the RCMP. “This is a very irregular occurrence.” Leger also said the two animals were “extremely aggressive” when authorities arrived on the scene.

Friends and fans have been leaving tribute messages on Mitchell’s MySpace page, Myspace.com/taylormitchellband.






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