BC RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 19 year old Kam McLeod and 18 year old Bryer Schmegelsky from Port Alberni.
BC RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 19 year old Kam McLeod and 18 year old Bryer Schmegelsky from Port Alberni.
Two teens who vanished from a Canadian Highway are now considered suspects in the murders of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese after they were brutally killed on the notorious stretch.
Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, were initially believed to be missing from Highway 37,also known as the Highway of Tears, in northern British Columbia. But Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) yesterday confirmed they're now believed to be on the run in connection with the murders of Fowler and Deese, who were found shot dead on Highway 97 on June 15.
The suspects are also wanted in connection with the death of an unidentified man found about two kilometres from their burning pick-up truck on Highway 37 last Friday, the RCMP said Tuesday.
Police said the pair has been spotted in northern Saskatchewan, and was believed to still be travelling. They were last seen in a grey 2011 Toyota Rav 4.
This man was seen talking to Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese on the night before they were murdered.Photo / Supplied
It comes a week after Fowler, 23, and Deese, 24, who were on a road trip to Alaska, were found dead on the side of Highway 97, 20km south of Liard River Hot Springs in British Columbia.
Police later confirmed they were "victims of gun violence" after earlier revealing their bodies were "unrecognisable".
Authorities repeatedly dismissed the notion that a serial killer was on the loose after a third victim was found on Friday. The man's body was found near a burnt-out truck six hours west of Liard Springs.
But police did confirm they are seeking to speak with a man seen arguing with Fowler on the night before he was murdered.
"Today we're asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man seen speaking with Lucas on the evening of July 14 on Highway 97," a RCMP media spokeswoman said on Monday.
"He is caucasian, has dark skin and dark hair, is shorter than 6'3" and has a possible beard and glasses.
"He was driving an older model Jeep Cherokee with a black stripe on the hood and was believed to have been travelling southbound."
As well as a composite sketch of their "person of interest", police released haunting CCTV footage of the last time Fowler and Deese were seen together.
Australian Lucas Fowler, 23, left, and his 24-year-old American girlfriend Chynna Deese pose for a selfie. The couple were found murdered along the Alaska Highway on July 15. Photo / AP
The vision, captured a petrol station, shows the couple hugging as Fowler fills the van with petrol.
Officers at the press conference — which was attended by Lucas' father, NSW Police Inspector Stephen Fowler — were peppered with questions from frustrated members of the local media about why there has been so little information about the investigation.
"Why can't you give us an indication of how he died?" one reporter asked in relation to the third victim, found near a burnt-out car.
"The public is wondering what is going on. They're not getting answers from you. Why can't you give us an idea about whether there is a linkage (between the three deaths)? Is there a serial killer? People have the right to know."
But police would not go into detail. They would not confirm whether the third victim was murdered or how he died.
Stephen Fowler answered questions at the press conference. He described the slaying as the "worst ever love story".
"We have two young people who had everything before them," he said.
Fowler said his family was "taking it a day at a time" and that "it's extremely difficult for all of us — we just hope to take a breath."
Asked if he was satisfied about the speed of the investigation, he said he had no complaints.
The blue van the couple were travelling in had the rear window broken. Photo / Supplied
"I know there's been a lot of speculation. As an experienced police officer I know how these investigations go. I'm more than comfortable with the commitment of all the officers working on this case."
Fowler and Deese were found a short distance from the blue 1986 Chevrolet van they were travelling in on Monday morning.
The third body was found a short distance up the road next to a burnt out vehicle. But in a bizarre twist, it was later revealed the man was not the vehicle's owner and that two teens — McLeod and Schmegelsky — travelling in that vehicle were missing.
In a statement, the Dease Lake Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they have been unable to locate the pair.
Lucas and Chynna were murdered last Monday on a remote stretch of Canadian highway. Photo / News.com.au
"It is unclear at this time how this deceased male might be connected with vehicle fire or the two missing men," police said in an earlier statement.
"At this time, investigators are sharing information and police would like to ensure awareness around both investigations.
"The RCMP would ask the public to continue to take any general safety precautions and remain vigilant at this time."
Passing motorists Curtis and Sandra Broughton were the last people to see Fowler and Deese alive. The Canadian couple stopped to offer assistance just before 3.30pm on Sunday.
Broughton, a mechanic, said he spoke to Fowler, but the 23-year-old seemed to know how to fix the van.
