Canadian police apologise for blunder as investigations continue in Lucas Fowler, Chynna Deese murder case

Police have apologised for a streaming blunder as investigations continue into the deaths of a young couple found on a remote stretch of highway.

Canadian police have apologised for sharing a live stream of a press conference relating to the deaths of Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese with the cat filter accidentally activated on their account.

The accident was pointed out by Alberta-based journalist Tyler Dawson online. Police said they were “aware and addressing it as it’s an automatic setting.” The issue was quickly rectified.

The B.C. RCMP are giving a press conference on the two people murdered on the Alaska Highway, and they have the cat ear filter on. pic.twitter.com/j8GvkvKA4u

— Tyler Dawson (@tylerrdawson) July 19, 2019

Yes we are aware and addressing it as it's an automatic setting. Thank you, we will rectify and issue a video shortly.

— BCRCMP (@BCRCMP) July 19, 2019

Canadian police are searching for answers after the bodies of Mr Fowler, 23 and Ms Deese, 24, were found on a remote stretch of the Alaska Highway, 12 miles from Liard Springs in British Columbia. Their deaths are being investigated as homicides with reports of up to 30 police on the case, including specialists sent from NSW.

British Columbia police said in a statement they are looking to speak to anyone in the area between 4pm on Sunday 14 July and 8am on Monday 15 July. They are particularly interested in dashcam footage or those who saw the blue van the couple were travelling in on the side of the road. They are also looking for two teens that are missing in the area, sparking fears among locals. 

Witnesses Curtis and Sandra Broughton are among the last people believed to have seen the couple alive. The Canadian pair said they stopped to offer roadside assistance after seeing them broken down but Mr Fowler and Ms Deese seemed in control of the situation and refused the offer of help.

“The vehicle was flooded out and they were going to try and get it going again until they could get the parts they needed,” Mr Broughton said.

Chynna Deese’s sister has shared pictures and tributes to her online. Picture: Facebook.

The young couple met in a hostel in Croatia and had been travelling the world together. Picture: Facebook.

Lucas Fowler is the son of senior NSW police officer, Inspector Stephen Fowler. The family have travelled to Canada to assist inquiries and bring his body home.

Ms Deese appears to be one of four children and her close-knit siblings have posted pictures and tributes to her on Facebook.

Brother British Dwayne, wrote that he had “the most chaotic day of my life spending hours on the phone with the US Embassy and investigators” over the weekend. He said the couple were travelling to watch the “branding of the cows” at a ranch Mr Fowler worked at.

“Chynna and Lucas’ lives were abruptly taken from a random act of violence while starting their road trip through Canada,” he wrote.

“She’s is so deeply woven as a piece of my childhood and everyday life. I am forever indebted to her for being such an amazing life companion and giving me SO many reasons to smile.”

“Life throws curveballs and you made every one easier to handle. This is a curveball I did not expect. Losing you is going to hurt so much.”

Sister Kennedy Deese wrote that her “beautiful life plans” had been cut short.

“Instead of watching you enjoy your thriving life, I can only carry your legacy in mine, and encourage others to do the same. I will miss you every moment.”

Originally published as Canadian police apologise for blunder as investigations continue in Lucas Fowler, Chynna Deese murder case