Sydney man Lucas Fowler, shot dead in Canada, farewelled

At 23, Sydney man Lucas Fowler was travelling the world with the woman he loved and "milking every last drop of fun out of life".

His father, NSW Police Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler, on Friday told hundreds of mourners at Turramurra Uniting Church on the city's north shore, his son's lifestyle was one that many "envied".

Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese were found shot dead along the Alaska Highway near Liard Hot Springs in northern Canada on Monday, July 15. Credit: AP

"He didn't just dream of travelling, he worked and saved and made it happen," Chief Inspector Fowler said.

Mr Fowler, an apprentice motor mechanic, and his US girlfriend Chynna Deese, 24, were found dead on the side of the remote Alaska Highway in Canada's rugged northern British Colombia last month after their Chevrolet van broke down.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have since confirmed that the couple were shot dead, with the suspects - initially considered missing persons - now on the run.

Mr Fowler's dad on Friday delivered his son's eulogy.

"We were so happy he had met a life partner," Chief Inspector Fowler said of Chynna, whom the close-knit family never had the chance to meet.

Lucas Fowler's father, Stephen, left, and his mother Shaunagh at the funeral service on Friday.Credit: Edwina Pickles

"They were full of happiness and joy just being together. They laughed and they loved, and touched the hearts of everyone they met.

"The day she stole Lucas' heart was the day she became part of our family."

Friday's "celebration of life" was attended by NSW Police Minister David Elliot, and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones, as well as legions of Lucas' friends, family and acquaintances.

"Lucas lived a life that many of us envied," his father continued.

"Lucas, thank you for being a part of our lives. We always love you."

Friends of Lucas Fowler arrive for the service.Credit: Edwina Pickles

The Reverend Phil Swain told mourners to hold onto Christ’s words of resurrection as they grapple with "the pain of loss”.

"Come to us and give us the assurance that in both life and death we are surrounded by your love.

"Deliver us from anxiety and fear and restore in us trust in the goodness of beings."

Otis Redding’s (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay  was played at the beginning of the service.

Ten of Lucas' friends arrived dressed in flannel shirts in a tribute to the seasoned traveller.

Mourners at Turramurra Uniting Church for the memorial service include his father, Stephen, second from right, and mother, Shaunagh, left with pink scarf. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Several of his friends, including a man with whom he had backpacked across the world, spoke at the funeral, with a number choking back tears.

Assistant Commissioner Jones said after the couple had been shot in "what can only be described as horrific circumstances".

"The RCMP are running this investigation, but our understanding is that they were with a vehicle in the northern part of British Columbia, and it appears they may have been shot in that location," he said.

Ms Deese was farewelled in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday.

Canadian investigators believe the couple were murdered by teenagers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky.

The pair have managed to evade a large-scale nine-day manhunt involving the Canadian military, drones, a Hercules aircraft, dogs and the door-knocking of more than 500 homes that spanned three provinces in Canada's remote north.

Police on Thursday confirmed the manhunt had been scaled back to re-evaluate the situation.

"To be clear, we’re not ending the search - a number of tactical resources and specialised assets will remain positioned in the Gillam area and will continue with the efforts to locate the murder suspects," Manitoba Police Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy said earlier in the week.

Searches are expected to continue around the small Manitoba town of Gillam, where the last confirmed sighting of the pair was.

The duo have also been charged with the murder of a third person, 64-year-old botanist Leonard Dyck whose body was found two kilometres from the suspects' burnt-out car four days after Mr Fowler and Ms Deese were found.

Media in Canada have reported that the duo had ties to white supremacist and pro-Nazi social media pages.

An image of Lucas Fowler from the funeral order of service.