Canadian authorities originally list Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, as missing persons not seen since July 19. Now, they’ve updated the status of the teens, naming them now as the lead suspects in the shocking murders of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American partner Chynna Deese.
In the haze of a new, and complicated investigation, McLeod and Schmegelsky were originally classified as potential victims, adding fuel to rumours that a serial killer was at large in the region. A car linked to the teenagers was found in flames. Around 2km from the burning car was the dead body of an as-yet identified male, and 500km from where authorities believe Fowler, 23 and Deese, 24, were murdered.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been made aware that the teens are in fact no longer missing, and are known to have left the British Columbia area, and were last week in Saskatchewan.
“Thanks to the public yesterday, we have new information where we’ve confirmed they were seen in northern BC, we’ve been able to confirm that information in last 24 hours” RCMP spokesperson Sergeant Janelle Shoihet stated via ABC.
Information on the teens is limited, however it’s known that the two were childhood friends traveling through the area in search of work.
“Kam and Bryer have periodically connected with family and friends over the past week and it is possible that they are now in an area without [mobile phone] coverage.”
The pair were seen driving a 2011 Toyota RAV4 and authorities have advised the public to not approach them.
The situation surrounding the death of Fowler and Deese is nothing short of tragic. Fowler’s father, NSW Police Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler, made an emotional statement, telling media “”As you know, I may have been an experienced police officer but today I’m standing here as the father of a murder victim. It’s a love story that’s ended tragically. It really is,”
Authorities are also keen to speak with a man believed to be the last to speak to the couple before their deaths. on July 14. A sketch has been released of the individual who isn’t listed as a suspect but instead someone who may be able to help Police make sense of what happened on Highway 97.
