Canada triple-murder manhunt ends with bodies found

Two bodies believed to be the teens wanted for killing three people on remote Canadian roads last month  have been found, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced Wednesday afternoon. Police have been on a manhunt searching for Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky over the past two weeks.

Authorities said McLeod and Schmegelsky were wanted in connection with the murders of a North Carolina woman, Chynna Deese, and her Australian boyfriend, Lucas Fowler, who were found near their van on the side of the road more than a week ago. Police also identified the third victim as Leonard Dyck, 64, of Vancouver. His body was found 300 miles away from where the traveling couple was discovered, also on a remote Canadian road. Authorities charged the teens with second degree murder in his death. 

Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky  Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)/REUTERS

“At this time, we are confident that these are the bodies of the two suspects wanted in connection with the homicides in British Columbia,” a news release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said. 

Autopsies will be conducted in Winnipeg to determine the cause of death. 

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers found a critical piece of evidence linked to the suspects that was located along the shoreline of the Nelson River. From there they followed that lead to find the bodies “in a dense brush, within 1 kilometer from where the items were found.” Officers said this was 8 kilometers (almost 5 miles) from where a burnt vehicle was located. 

“To the families of everyone affected by the series of events over the last few weeks, I know it has been so very difficult and I hope today’s announcement can begin to bring some closure,” the statement read.