Manitoba RCMP are asking the public not to spread rumours about the search for B.C. homicide suspects Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, after a photo purporting to be one of the men posing with the July 25 edition of the Winnipeg Sun began circulating online.
“We can confirm that the current photo circulating online of a man posing with the front page of yesterday’s paper is not one of our suspects,” RCMP said via social media July 26.“Our officers are working diligently to find these suspects and we will release updates as soon as we have concrete, confirmed information to share. We understand many people are experiencing fear and uncertainty over this incident but spreading online rumours doesn’t help. There continues to be a heavy police presence in the Gillam area, as our officers conduct detailed and thorough searches of potential areas of interest.”
Manitoba RCMP said July 25 that they believe McLeod and Schmegelsky 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 the two 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 to Fox Lake and Gillam, respectively, will remain in place for the foreseeable future. They also said they had received about 80 tips regarding McLeod and Schmegelsky over the previous 48 hours.
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 204-677-6911 or 911 or their local police in other areas.
