Mounties in northern B.C. are looking for two Port Alberni men whose vehicle was discovered on fire Friday in the same area where police say a body was found.
They say officers investigating a vehicle fire on Highway 37 about 50 kilometres south of Dease Lake received information that led them to discover a body at a highway pullout about two kilometres from the scene of the fire.
The burned Dodge pickup with a sleeper camper belonged to 19-year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky.
Investigators are now working to identify the male body, determine the cause of death, and whether there’s any connection with the two missing men.
Kam McLeod is described as:
- 6’4″
- Approximately 169 pounds
- Dark brown hair and facial hair
- Brown eyes
Bryer Schmegelsky is described as:
- 6’4″
- Approximately 169 pounds
- Sandy brown hair
The two were travelling in a red and grey Dodge pickup truck with a sleeping camper and BC License plate LW6433. They were last seen travelling south from the Super A general store in Dease Lake at around 3:15 pm on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
“Kam and Bryer have periodically connected with family and friends over the past week and it is possible that they are now in area without cell coverage”, said Dawn Roberts, BC RCMP Communications.
“However, we have found their vehicle and have not been able to locate either of them at this time. We are asking for Kam or Bryer to connect with police right away and let us know you are okay. Or we ask that anyone who may have spoken to or seen them over the last few days to call police so we can get a better understanding as to where they might be or their plans.”
Dease Lake is about 470 kilometres away from where 23-year-old Australian Lucas Fowler and his 24-year-old American girlfriend Chynna Deese were found murdered earlier in the week along the Alaska Highway near Liard Hot Springs.
Police acknowledge in their Sunday release that “there are growing community concerns about the ongoing homicide investigations in northern B.C.”
They add that investigators “are sharing information” about the cases, but don’t say whether any connection between the two has yet been made.
RCMP are also asking the public to take safety precautions and “remain vigilant” as the force investigates the two apparently unconnected cases.
BC RCMP are scheduled to give an update on the northern Rockies double homicide investigation and the Dease Lake missing person investigation Monday afternoon.
With files from Canadian Press
CHEK News
