This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Published on August 5, 2019, the RCMP announced the deployment of the Underwater Recovery Team to Gillam in northern Manitoba to search for Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, who are wanted in connection with the murder of Lucas Fowler, 23, and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese, 24.
The teens are also charged with the murder of Leonard Dyck, 64, a Canadian biology professor, whose body was found in northern British Columbia.
The search for the fugitives began after police found a damaged aluminum boat by the Nelson River during a helicopter search on Friday.
The area being searched is a vast and impenetrable landscape of thick forest, brush, and swamps, swarming with biting insects and inhabited by bears.
Police had searched the region with a fine-toothed comb since July 25, before announcing they were scaling back the search effort.
"Even with this extraordinary effort, we have not had any confirmed sightings of the suspects" since their torched vehicle was found outside Gillam on July 23, said RCMP spokeswoman Jane MacLatchy.
