Vancouver Island teens charged in one of three northern B.C. deaths; third victim identified as UBC lecturer
Posted July 24, 2019 6:04 pm.
Last Updated July 29, 2019 12:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
PORT ALBERNI (NEWS 1130) — Two teenagers from Port Alberni have both been charged with second degree murder after a man was found dead near Dease Lake in northeastern B.C.
He’s been identified as Leonard Dyck, a sessional lecturer in UBC’s Department of Botany.
RELATED: Manitoba RCMP finds burned vehicle of men wanted in connection with three northern B.C. deaths
Canada-wide arrest warrants have been issued for Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, who still haven’t been located by police. They are also wanted in the deaths of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese, whose bodies were found alongside the Alaska Highway near Liard Hot Springs.
Dyck’s body was found near a burned-out truck several-hundred kilometres from where the couple’s bodies were found.
No charges have been laid in relation to Fowler and Deese’s deaths.
RELATED: Father of suspect in three B.C. deaths expects son will go out in ‘blaze of glory’
Mounties confirmed on Wednesday that a burned out vehicle, found near the small, rural community of Gillam, Manitoba, belonged to the two suspects.
Corporal Julie Kirsching says there have been reports they have been spotted near the northern Manitoba town.
The teens, now charged with second-degree murder, were initially treated as missing.
UBC, family ‘heartbroken’ by Dyck’s death
Dyck’s family has released a statement saying they are heartbroken by the loss, calling him a loving husband and father.
His employer also issued a statement:
“The UBC community is shocked and saddened by this news and we offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Dyck’s family, friends and his colleagues at the university,” read the statement.
– With files from the Canadian Press
