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RCMP find items ‘directly linked’ to B.C. murder suspects on banks of Manitoba river

Kam McLeod and Bryer Schemegelsky are wanted for three deaths
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RCMP are searching throughout northern Manitoba for two B.C. murder suspects. (Manitoba RCMP)

Police have found items linked to two B.C. men wanted for murder on the shores of a Manitoba river.

On Tuesday, Manitoba RCMP said their dive team found several items “directly linked to the suspects” on the shoreline of the Nelson River on Friday, nine kilometres from where Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, dumped a stolen, torched SUV on July 22.

The items were found on the same day as a damaged boat on the river bank. RCMP said they searched 29 metres around the boat on Sunday but did not find any more items linked to the suspects.

READ MORE: Manitoba RCMP set up new roadblock, abandon river search in hunt for B.C. fugitives

Mounties said the checkpoint on the road headed into Gillam, Man., has been removed, but police remain in the area.

The search was prompted by a helicopter spotting an abandoned boat on the shores of the river. Some have said the boat was abandoned there last year, but RCMP have not commented on the issue.

Saskatchewan RCMP were investigating a tip that McLeod and Schmegelsky were spotted near Moose Jaw on the weekend. “The sighting was investigated and … determined to not be the two suspects,” Cpl. Rob King said.

The two Port Alberni men have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of University of B.C. lecturer Leonard Dyck near Dease Lake on July 19, and are suspects in the double homicide of tourists Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese near Liard Hot Springs on July 15.

There have been no confirmed sightings of the suspects since July 22 in Gillam, Man. McLeod and Schmegelsky were declared suspect on July 23.

READ MORE: B.C. murder suspect’s father reveals details of troubled life in book

READ MORE: Ontario police investigate possible sightings of northern B.C. murder suspects

Editor’s note: Manitoba RCMP initially said the items were found on Aug. 3, not Aug. 2. The story has been updated with the most up to date information.


@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

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