RCMP are now trying to find two missing teens after a burning vehicle and a body were discovered south of Dease Lake last week.
Mounties were called to the vehicle fire along Highway 37 south of the Stikine River Bridge Friday July 19 and were tipped off to the body of a male at a nearby Highway pullout.
Police say the two people associated with the burning vehicle are 19 year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky of Port Alberni,who were travelling through B.C. to Whitehorse in order to look for work. Investigators say they have not been in contact with family for the past few days.
“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 in a news release. “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.”
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
Mounties say the pair 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.
Mounties say the body found about two kilometres away from the vehicle fire was not Kam or Bryer, but police have not yet identified the male. Investigators say it’s unclear how the dead person might be connected to the vehicle fire or the missing teens.
Police say they realize there are growing community concerns about the recent murder of two tourists near Liard Hot Springs, but RCMP say the Dease Lake incident occurred on July 19, 2019 and the other homicides occurred between July 14-15, 2019, approximately 470 kilometres away.
RCMP are asking people to continue take any general safety precautions and remain vigilant and reminding travellers to share their plans with family and friends, establish check-in times, and notify someone if your plans change.
Anyone with any information is about Kam and Bryer is asked to please call Dease Lake RCMP 250-771-4111, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.
