A slain road-tripping couple, mystery corpse, burning car: Missing men named as suspects in Canada
Canadian police named two missing men as suspects Tuesday in the deaths of a vacationing American and her Australian boyfriend, as well as an unidentified man in northern British Columbia.
The announcement was the latest twist to a mystery that has sparked fear and intrigue in the remote province, involving the slain road-tripping couple, a mystery corpse and a burning car.
The British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police urged people to take no action but to call 911 immediately if they see the suspects – Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18.
McLeod and Schmegelsky were spotted in northern Saskatchewan driving a gray 2011 Toyota Rav 4, and investigators suspect they are still traveling. McLeod is 6 foot 4, about 169 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Schmegelsky is 6 foot 4, about 169 pounds, with sandy brown hair.
We are asking the public that if you spot Kam McLeod or Bryer Schmegelsky to consider them as dangerous - take no actions – do not approach – and call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/RdhBNVr5im
— BCRCMP (@BCRCMP) July 23, 2019
The two drove a red and gray Dodge pickup through British Columbia to the Yukon Territory to look for work, the RCMP said. The police found their burning car on Highway 37. A little more than a mile away, police found the body of a deceased male, who was Caucasian and 50-60 years old with a heavy build, gray hair and a gray bushy beard.
About 290 miles away, police found the bodies of Australian Lucas Fowler, 23, and American Chynna Deese, 24, on July 15 near Liard Hot Spring. Sgt. Janelle Shoihet confirmed the couple were the victims of gun violence. Fowler and Deese had planned to drive to all of Canada's national parks. Their bodies were found on Highway 97 near Fowler's broken-down blue 1986 Chevrolet van.
Police released the image of a man believed to have spoken with Fowler on the evening of July 14, a Caucasian with dark skin and dark hair. He was shorter than Fowler and may have had a beard and glasses.
The RCMP released footage of Fowler's van arriving at and departing a gas station in Fort Nelson on July 13. The van pulled in at 7:30 p.m. and left at 7:47 p.m.
Fowler's father, Stephen, a chief inspector with the New South Wales Police Department, said his son was passionate about traveling and had a bright future.
"We are just distraught," Fowler said at a news conference in Surrey, British Columbia. "This has torn apart two families. Our son Lucas was having the time of his life traveling the world. He met a beautiful young lady, and they teamed up."
Shoihet urged people in northern British Columbia to be cautious and update others on their traveling plans.
"I recognize that there are concerns with respect to people’s safety," Shoihet said. "We’re reassuring the public to take proper safety precautions and ensure that you have a plan."
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canada couple slain: Missing pair named suspects
