RCMP confirmed Monday that the two bodies found near Gillam, Manitoba last week were those of Port Alberni teens and murder suspects Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky.
The Manitoba Medical Examiner says the pair died in an apparent “suicide by gunfire.”
Two firearms were located near their bodies, roughly 8 kilometres away from where the pair’s burnt RAV4 vehicle was discovered.
While police have not determined an exact time of death, investigators believe that they were deceased “for a number of days” before their remains were discovered.
That being said, officials believe the pair were likely alive for a number of days after the manhunt for them began near Gillam in late July.
McLeod, 19, and Schmegelsky, 18, were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Leonard Dyck. They were also wanted in the murder of a young tourist couple – Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese.
Investigators are reviewing all of the evidence and information collected in order to determine what happened to the three victims.
Police say they will review all investigative findings to date, compile statements, timelines, physical and digital evidence, and more, with the support of BC RCMP.
“The BC RCMP commits that once we have completed that review within the next few weeks, we will be providing the families with an update with respect to the totality of the investigations and then releasing the information publicly.” the organization said in a statement.
