Manitoba RCMP said July 25 that they believe that suspects in three B.C. murders are still in the Gillam area, based upon two confirmed sightings prior to the pair’s burnt vehicle being discovered July 22 and the fact that no vehicles in the area have been reported stolen.
A burnt and abandoned Toyota Rav4 that Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, had been driving was discovered between Gillam and Fox Lake Cree Nation by Billy Beardy July 22. McLeod and Schmegelsky are wanted in connection with the killings of Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese, found dead on the Alaska Highway in B.C. July 15 and have been charged with second-degree murder in the death Leonard Dyck of Vancouver, whose body was found south of Dease Lake, B.C. July 19. Dyck’s body was discovered about two kilometres from a burnt-out camper truck that McLeod and Schmegelsky had been driving when they left Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, ostensibly on the way to Alberta to look for work.
RCMP said checkstops at the intersection of Provincial Road 280 and Provincial Road 290 where they split off heading to Fox Lake and Gillam, respectively, will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
“Our officers have conducted detailed and thorough searches of potential areas of interests and these searches continue,” said Manitoba RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Julie Courchaine. “Over the last 48 hours, we have received 80 tips and we continue to ask the public to remain vigilant for Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky. This is a dynamic and unfolding situation. I understand that people have many questions, and we commit to providing answers as soon as we are able.”
The search is being assisted by the RCMP’s emergency response team, crisis negotiation team and air services assets, as well as the major crime unit, the RCMP North District and RCMP officers from other provinces.
Anyone who spots McLeod and Schmegelsky should call Gillam RCMP at 204-652-2200, Thompson RCMP at 2-04-677-6911 or 911 or their local police in other areas.
