Over two weeks since the manhunt for two teen fugitives from Vancouver Island began, Manitoba RCMP say they have discovered items linked to the suspects along the shoreline of Nelson River near Gillam, MB.
On Friday, RCMP located several items that are “directly linked to the suspects” along the river shoreline, approximately 9 km away from where the pairs’ second burnt vehicle was located near the town of Gillam. The nature of these items have not been revealed at this time.
That same day, police also located a damaged aluminum boat that is believed to be related to the suspects, 19-year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky from Port Alberni.
After recovering the boat, police conducted an underwater search of the river on Sunday, but could find no further signs of the pair.
Following the completion of their underwater search, Manitoba RCMP have removed their roadblock from Gillam, but the one established in Sundance – a community roughly 45 minutes away from Gillam – on Sunday continues to remain in place.
A heightened police presence also remains in Gillam.
See also:
- RCMP underwater search in Vancouver Island murder suspect case remains fruitless
- RCMP debunk online photo of man who looks like Vancouver Island murder suspect
- RCMP unable to verify tip of Vancouver Island murder suspects spotted in York Landing
Background
The small community of Gillam, MB, was the centre of the Canadian media spotlight over the past several weeks after police determined that the community was the probable area where Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmgelsky were hiding out.
McLeod and Schmegelsky have been charged with second degree murder in the death of 64-year-old University of British Columbia lecturer Leonard Dyck.
His body was found on July 19th at a pullout on Highway 37 in Northern BC near a burnt vehicle that belonged to the teenage fugitives.
The pair are also suspects in the deaths of 25-year-old Chynna Deese and 23-year-old Lucas Robertson who 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 boys’ burnt out car was found.
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.
Otherwise, anyone with information on McLeod and Schmegelsky is asked to contact the RCMP Major Crime Tipline at 1-877-543-4822, or 778-290-5291.
(Bryer Schmegelsky (left) Kam McLeod (right) / BC RCMP)
