Police have identified a man whose body was discovered near Dease Lake on July 19. Now a second-degree murder charge has been laid against both the Port Alberni suspects on the run.
Leonard Dyck’s body was found at a highway pullout about two kilometres south of a vehicle fire south of the Stikine River Bridge on Highway 37. According to police, Dyck was from Vancouver.
Nineteen-year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky, have now been charged with one count each of second-degree murder for the death of Leonard Dyck. The BC Prosecution Service has approved the two charges. The vehicle that was discovered burned out on Highway 37 belonged to the pair.
“We are truly heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of Len. He was a loving husband and father. His death has created unthinkable grief and we are struggling to understand what has happened. While we understand there will be interest in knowing more about him and the impact he had during his life, we are asking for the public and the media to please respect our privacy during this difficult time,” Dyck’s family said in a statement.
As a result of the charges, Canada-wide warrants have been issued for McLeod and Schmegelsky.
The two are also suspects in the murder of Australian Lucas Fowler, 23, and American Chynna Deese, 24, who were found dead along the side of the Alaska Highway. Police said the couple was the victim of “gun violence.”
Chynna Deese kisses Lucas Fowler in this undated image from her sister’s Facebook page. The pair were found dead July 15 along the Alaska Highway, 20 kilometres south of Liard Hot Springs in northern B.C. (NSW Police)
There are concurrent investigations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba into the sightings of the two suspects.
Saskatchewan RCMP had received reports of the suspects being spotted in Meadow Lake, Sask. on July 21. Then on Wednesday, Manitoba RCMP confirmed the RAV4 the suspects were travelling in was found burned out in the Gillam, Man. area on the evening of July 22.
McLeod and Schmegelsky are considered armed and dangerous. They may be using a different vehicle, are on foot or even travelling separately. Anyone who sees them is asked to call 911 or their local police department immediately.
Kam McLeod (left) and Bryer Schmegelsky (right). Police said they are considered dangerous and should not be approached. (BC RCMP)
Anyone with information into any of the three deaths is asked to call the BC RCMP Major Crime tiplines at 1-877-543-4822.
CHEK News
