2 B.C. men considered missing now suspects in homicide of young couple

Two lifelong friendspreviously reported missing are now suspects in the homicides of a young tourist couple gunned downin Northern British Columbialast week, as well asin the suspicious death of another man whose body was found near the friends'burnt-out truckdays later.

RCMP said Tuesday thatKam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, are suspected of shootingAustralian Lucas Fowler, 23, and American Chynna Deese, 24. The couple's bodies were discovered along the side of the Alaska Highwaysouth of a popular hot springs tourist destinationon July 15.

Four days after thebodies of Fowler and Deese were found, McLeod and Schmegelsky's burnt-out truck was discoverednear the community of Dease Lake, B.C., more than 470 kilometres away from the first crime scene.

The body of an unidentified man in his 50s or 60s was found two kilometres south of thattruck.

McLeod and Schmegelsky were initially considered to be missing persons. Their families hadn't heard from them in days and said the pair, friends since elementary school, had been travelling to Whitehorse from their homes in Port Alberni onVancouver Island in search of work.

Burntcar in Manitoba

The pair is no longer considered missing and are now at large.They were last seen driving a grey2011 Toyota RAV4 and Mounties said they may still be on the move.

It is believed they've left British Columbia and may have been spotted in northern Saskatchewan, the RCMP said on Tuesday morning. Two employees at a hardware store in Meadow Lake, Sask., about 250 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon, told CBC News the suspects were in their store and made purchases, though it was not clear when.

Later in the day,Manitoba RCMPsaid in a tweet they had "reason to believe" McLeod and Schmegelsky were recently in the Gillam area, in the northeastof the province.

Aburnt-out car was foundnear the reserve of Bird, not far from Gillam, on Tuesday, prompting a statement fromChief of the Fox Lake Cree NationWalter Spence.

"We cannot confirm this was directly connected to the individuals wanted by RCMP. I have spoken with the RCMP. An all night patrol for the community has been prepared as a caution," Spence said.

Officers said the two teenagers may have changed their appearances and have asked anyone who sees them not to approach them.

"We are asking the public: if you spot Kam or Bryer, consider them dangerous," Sgt. Janelle Shoihetsaid during a press conference from the Lower Mainland on Tuesday. "Take no action and immediately call 911."

Both McLeod and Schmegelsky aredescribed as six feet, four inches tall and around 169 pounds.

McLeod has dark brown hair, brown eyes and facial hair. Schmegelsky has sandy brown hair.

Fowler and Deese were days into a three-week road trip and werebound for Alaskawhen they were killed. Fowler's weathered, soft blue 1986 Chevy van carefully chosen for the journeymarked the crime scene at the side of the road.

RCMP said the couple, who met abroad two years ago,likely died on July 14 or 15.

Surveillance video shows Fowler and Deese hugging at a gas station, days before they were killed:

Video shows couple murdered in Northern B.C. days before their death

5 years ago

Duration 1:04

Surveillance video recorded on July 13, 2019 that has been edited for brevity shows 23-year-old Lucas Fowler and 24-year-old Chynna Deese stopping at a gas station in Fort Nelson, B.C. In total, the pair spent just under 17 minutes at the station; nine of them inside it

On Tuesday, Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said McLeod and Schmegelsky were seen near Dease Lake, the area in which their truck was found, on July 18.

The red and grey Dodge pickup truck was outfitted with a camper. RCMP released a sketch of the deceased man found nearby on Monday and asked for the public's help identifying him.

He is described as white and in his 50s or 60s with a heavy build and grey hair.RCMP Cpl. Chris Manseau said he would have stood between five feet, eight inches and five feet, 10 inches tall.

Schmegelsky's father, Al, described the pair as "best friends" who met in elementary school. He previously said in an interview that the boysrecently graduated high school and had just spent five weeks working at Walmart.

AlSchmegelsky said his son and McLeodwere disappointed with theWalmart gig their first jobs so they decided to head off in search of something better up north.

"They're just kids on an adventure. They're good boys,"Schmegelskysaid Monday, speaking a day before his son and his friend were named suspects.

Region on edge

The series of crimes hassent a chill throughthe northern region, an area known for its quiet seclusion and largely unaccustomed to heavy police presence. Friends have established "check-in" routines so they know loved ones are safe and some are no longer driving to work down remote highways alone.

Mounties have been slow to release details on the specifics of the investigations, if at all, as is fairly common practice with the force inthe province. RCMP have acknowledged heightened public interest in the cases, given how "unusual" crimes of serious nature are in the north let alone more than one at once but have declined to give further informationfor fear of jeopardizing ongoing investigations.

"The rumour mill is rampant," said Gail Andrews, whose family has run theTetsa River Lodge at Mile 375 on the Alaska Highway for three generations. "It's become, 'Don't get out of your car, you'll get murdered.' People are nervous."

Store ownerClaudia Bunce saysMcLeod andSchmegelskywere in her shop earlier this month. They were captured on video,walking in for a cup of coffee, she says.

Store owner spots B.C. homicide suspects on surveillance video

5 years ago

Duration 3:42

Claudia Bunce, owner-operator of the Jade City Store north of Dease Lake, B.C., says suspects Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky were in her store this month

Andrews said visitors and residents staying at the lodge heardsirens screaming by the property last week as police raced to the spot where Fowler and Deese's bodies werefound about 100 kilometres away.

Another missing persons case involving two men from Surrey, B.C. also made headlines alongside news of the investigations in the north, but RCMP confirmed Tuesday that case is unrelated to the homicides.