Two Port Alberni teens named as suspects in three killings along Northern BC highways

Posted on by Staff Writer
Kam McLeod left, and Bryer Schmegelsky, right, from Port Alberni named as suspects in the murders of Australian Lucas Fowler, his girlfriend Chynna Deese and an unknown man. (Photo: B.C. RCMP/Al Schmegelsky)

Missing teens now suspects in killings of Lucas Fowler, Chynna Deese, and unknown man

Two teens believed to be missing in northern B.C., have been named as suspects in the murders of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese, who were found shot to death on the Alaska Highway.

Fowler, 23, and Deese, 24, were gunned down sometime between July 14 and July 15. The couple was on a road trip to visit national parks in Canada.

Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, both from Port Alberni, who were initially reported missing are now suspects in the murders of the young tourists whose bodies were found near their blue Chevy van, July 15, on Highway 97 about 20 km south of Liard Hot Springs.

Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese were on a road trip to visit national parks in Canada. (Picture: The Deese family Source: News Corp Australia.)

Four days later McLeod and Schmegelsky’s burnt-out truck was found on Highway 37 south of Dease Lake, more than 470 km away from the first crime scene.

BC RCMP said in a news conference on Tuesday, that McLeod and Schmegelsky are also wanted in connection with the death of an unidentified man in his 50s or 60s. His body was found 2 km south of the flaming truck at a rest stop. Police have released a sketch in hopes the public can help to identify him.

Police have released a sketch of an unknown man in his 50s or 60s. He had a beard and a heavy build. His body was found at a rest stop in northern BC. Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky are suspects in the man’s killing.

Police say both suspects were spotted in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan on Sunday.

Tuesday afternoon RCMP in Manitoba said in a tweet that they have reasons to believe McLeod and Schmegelsky were recently in the Gillam area, about 1,000 km northeast of Winnipeg.

If you spot them take no actions and do not approach, call 911 or your local police immediately, said RCMP.

According to Fox Lake Cree First Nation Chief Walter Spence, a burned-out vehicle was found on the nearby Bird reserve north of Gillam. He could not confirm whether it’s connected to the wanted teens.

This vehicle was reportedly found nearby Gillam, Man. – PrinceGeorgeMatters.com

CBC News reports, the torched vehicle was found in bush off Highway 290 — which links Gillam and Fox Lake Cree Nation. RCMP haven’t confirmed whether or not it is connected to McLeod and Schmegelsky.

Kam McLeod is described as:

  • Six feet four inches tall
  • Approximately 169 pounds
  • Dark brown hair and facial hair
  • Brown eyes

Bryer Schmegelsky is described as:

  • Six feet four inches tall
  • Approximately 169 pounds
  • Sandy brown hair

They were last seen in a grey 2011 Toyota Rav 4.

RCMP note McLeod and Schmegelsky may have changed their appearance and could be driving a different vehicle.