Lucas Fowler turned dreams of travel into reality and lived a life “many of us envied,” his father said at his funeral service in Sydney, Australia, on Friday.
In his eulogy, Stephen Fowler said his 23-year-old son learned to love camping from a young age and was excited to embark on his latest adventure in B.C. with Chynna Deese, “the love of his life.”
Fowler and Deese, 24, from Charlotte, N.C., were found dead in northern B.C. two weeks ago. Their deaths were soon deemed homicides and triggered a cross-country hunt for two suspects who, despite numerous reported sightings, have not yet been found.
“We are so happy that Lucas and Chynna found each other and had such a great time travelling together, meeting new friends and just milking every last drop of fun out of life. They laughed and loved, and touched the hearts of everyone they met,” Fowler said during the service at Turramurra Uniting Church.
A memorial service was held earlier this week for Deese in North Carolina.
Hundreds of friends and family gathered at the funeral Friday, embracing each other outside the brick building.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Fowler’s father, a chief inspector for the New South Wales Police Force, described in his eulogy how his son’s outdoorsy upbringing followed him into adulthood.
“Lucas leaves us all with so many beautiful memories. He and Chynna live on in our hearts,” Fowler said.
“Lucas, thank you for being part of our lives. We always love you.”
Meanwhile, Ontario Provincial Police say they are investigating “numerous” reports involving possible sightings of two young men believed to be those wanted in connection with the murders of Fowler and Deese, as well as Vancouver researcher Leonard Dyck.
Police say the reports have come in from across the province, and investigators cannot confirm at this time whether any of the sightings are, in fact, of 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky and 19-year-old Kam McLeod of Port Alberni.
They say there have been no confirmed sightings of the pair in Ontario so far.
Provincial police say they are working with RCMP and have assigned an investigative team to follow up on any tips related to the suspects.
A manhunt spanning several provinces began last week after Schmegelsky and McLeod were named as suspects in the three killings.
With files form CBC and the Canadian Press
CHEK News
