Folk singer killed by coyotes

19-year-old singer-songwriter Taylor Mitchell was hiking...

11:57 29 October 2009

19-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter Taylor Mitchell has been killed by coyotes in a Canadian national park.

The teenage folk musician from Ontario was hiking alone in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia, when she was attacked by two of the animals, the Associated Press confirmed.

She was airlifted to hospital with severe, multiple bite wounds, but died yesterday morning (October 28).

Rangers shot one of the coyotes after walkers alerted them to the incident after hearing Taylor screaming. The second animal in the attack is yet to be located.

Germaine LeMoine, public affairs officer with Parks Canada, insists coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare: "This wouldn't even be considered a yearly event. It's extremely rare in the history of the park."

Mitchell's manager, Lisa Weitz, said, "Words can't begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant and phenomenally talented young woman.

"She just turned 19 two months ago, and was so excited about the future."

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