Authorities say there are signs that a black bear was becoming increasingly aggressive in the area where the body of a well-known elder of a First Nations community in British Columbia was found mauled last week.

"We did have some indication that the bear was starting to show aggression, trying to get into the house," conservation officer Rod Olsen said.

Photos taken by CTV British Columbia show what appear to be bite marks on the exterior of the woman's home.

An autopsy was to be performed Monday afternoon to determine whether a black bear was responsible for the death of the woman or whether she succumbed to natural causes prior to the mauling.

The woman, believed to be in her late 70s, was a highly-respected elder in the local Xaxli'p First Nations community.

Friends and relatives said she complained last week about an aggressive bear trying to get into her home in the remote outskirts of the small town of Lillooet.

The victim's cousin, Bob Adolph, said she complained about a bear trying to get into her house.

"No one responded and when someone did that's when they found her," he said.

Her body was found outside her home last Thursday, and officials said a bear or bears fed on her body.

Tribal police confirmed the band sent someone to the woman's house but conservation officers were not called.

Chief Art Adolph says the band is investigating the incident.

"Nobody let anybody down . . . this is a tragic situation," he said.

Four black bears were caught and killed by wildlife officials, including one they think dragged the victim away. DNA tests are being performed to confirm they got the correct bear.

Medical officers will use dental records to confirm the woman's identity and the coroners office is expected to release the cause of the woman's death on Tuesday.

Officials have not released the woman's name but the property where the woman's body was found is listed as belonging to Bernice Adolph.

Locals say bears in the area are increasingly becoming aggressive.

Lillooet resident John Vanderwolf had a black bear walk right through his front door -- twice.

Conservation officer Bob Butcher says black bears are unpredictable and it's a mistake to think you know how they might act.

Officials say there has only been two fatal bear attack in B.C. since 2002.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat