Thursday, March 28, 2024

RCMP confirm burnt vehicle in Manitoba linked to Vancouver Island murder suspects

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A burnt SUV found on Manitoba First Nation land has been confirmed to be the vehicle driven by two Vancouver Island teens who are suspects in the deaths of three people in northern BC.

See also: RCMP say teenage suspects in northern BC murders may have reached Manitoba

The vehicle, a grey 2011 Toyota RAV-4, was discovered on Fox Lake Cree Nation reserve on Monday when RCMP were called to the report of a vehicle fire in the area.

Before Monday, the teens and their vehicle were last seen in northern Saskatchewan, prompting RCMP to confirm that the pair had left BC.

The confirmation of the vehicle’s connection to the investigation comes on the same day that RCMP said the teenage suspects — 19-year-old Kam Mcleod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky of Port Alberni — were likely in Manitoba near the town of Gillam, a community in the northeast of the province.

RCMP say they have established checkpoints on the two roads that lead in and out of Gillam, and that additional police resources have been deployed to the area.

Meanwhile, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) issued a public safety alert on Monday, in case the pair continue to travel eastward.

“He wants his hurt to end…”

Bryer Schmegelsky’s father, Alan Schmegelsky, told the Canadian Press on Wednesday that he believes the pair plan to “go out in a blaze of glory”.

According to Alan, his son had a troubled childhood, especially after Alan separated from Bryer’s mother in 2005.

“He wants his hurt to end,” Alan told the Canadian Press through tears. “They’re going to go out in a blaze of glory. Trust me on this. That’s what they’re going to do.”

“He’s on a suicide mission. He wants his pain to end. Basically, he’s going to be dead today or tomorrow. I know that. Rest in peace, Bryer. I love you. I’m so sorry all this had to happen.”

Background

Two Port Alberni teens, Kam Mcleod and Bryer Schmegelsky are considered suspects in the deaths of three people in Northern BC this month — a travelling couple and a lone currently unidentified male.

The teens were initially considered missing persons on Monday after the vehicle they were travelling in was found burning off the side of Highway 37 in northern BC near the location of the unidentified deceased man on July 19th.

On Tuesday, police changed their assessment and announced that the pair were now considered suspects in the death of the unidentified man and the travelling couple.

The couple, 25-year-old Chynna Deese and 23-year-old Lucas Robertson, were found shot and killed on the side of the highway near Liard Hot Springs on July 15th, approximately 470 kilometres away from where the teens’ car was found.

Meanwhile, police still do not know the identity of the man found near the teens’ first abandoned car and are asking the public’s assistance in identifying him.

A sketch of the victim is pictured below:

(Image / RCMP)

Police believe that McLeod and Schmegelsky are likely still travelling, though there destination is not known at this time.

Kam McLeod is described as:

  • 6 foot 4
  • Approximately 169 pounds
  • Dark brown hair and facial hair
  • Brown eyes

Bryer Schmegelsky is described as:

  • 6 foot 4
  • Approximately 169 pounds
  • Sandy brown hair

While photos of the two teens have been released, police say that the pair may have altered their appearance.

Anyone who sees the pair is asked not to approach them and to call 911 immediately.

Otherwise, anyone with information on McLeod and Schmegelsky is asked to contact the RCMP’s Major Crime Tipline at 1-877-543-4822, or 778-290-5291.

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Adam Chan
Former Staff Writer at Victoria Buzz.

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