Canadian police admit hunted teens may have slipped their net

Canadian police admit teenage accused killers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky may have escaped.

Police carry weapons and ballistics shields in Gillam. Picture: Clint Brewer

Canadian police have admitted that teenage accused killers Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky may have slipped their extensive net and fled the environs of Gillam, Manitoba, with the help of a third person.

An aggressive search with police dogs, drones and thermal imaging is continuing in Gillam, in the hunt for the teens suspected of murdering Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend, Chynna Deese.

With no confirmed sightings of Schmegelsky, 18, and childhood friend McLeod, 19 outside of Gillam the Royal Canadian Mounted Police believe they still likely remain in the area, but say they’re exploring the possibility the young men may have changed their appearance and someone inadvertently assisted them to leave.

“It is possible that someone may not have been aware of who they were, providing assistance to and may now be hesitant to come forward,” RCMP Corporal Julie Courchaine told reporters.

To help generate public leads the RCMP released security video of McLeod and Schmegelsky walking through a supply store.

The RCMP will also begin door-to-door visits of homes and businesses in an attempt to find the teenagers or glean new information from locals. “Over the next 72 hours investigators will conduct door-to-door canvases in the town of Gillam and Fox Lake Cree Nation in hopes of generating new tips and information,” Corporal Courchaine said.

“Residents in these areas can be assured that we are activating all necessary resources to protect the public and officer safety.”

Dogs, drones used in manhunt

In a week of dramatic developments, the teenagers went from missing to being publicly declared suspects in the double murder and being formally charged with a third murder.

“This is very challenging terrain,” said Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Julie Courchaine.

“This is a large area, there’s lots of dense bush, forest, swampy areas, so it is very challenging.”

Mr Fowler, 23, and Ms Deese, 24, were on a road trip to Alaska when their old Chevrolet van broke down on Sunday, July 14.

Their bodies were found in a ditch the next morning on the Alaska Highway near Liard Hot Springs, British Columbia.

Canadian police suspect Schmegelsky and McLeod shot the couple dead and went on to kill a University of British Columbia lecturer, Leonard Dyck, 64.

Mr Dyck’s body was found in a rest stop near Dease Lake last Friday, 2km from a pick-up truck driven by the teenagers that was found on fire on Highway 37.

Schmegelsky and McLeod have been charged in their ­absence with Mr Dyck’s second-degree murder.

About 80 tips had been received from the public, as links emerged between the pair and far-right extremism.

They had grown up in the small Vancouver Island community of Port Alberni, where they took jobs at Walmart.

Accounts from relatives suggest they were obsessed with violent video games and spent years playing war games in the woods.

Both 191cm, they left their hometown two weeks ago, telling relatives they were going in search of work, then dropped out of contact.

Former neighbour Lisa Lucas, whose son went to school with Schmegelsky, said friends felt “uncomfortable” after he flashed around pictures of himself wearing a Nazi armband.

Online gamers say Schmegelsky last year shared photographs of himself with Nazi memorabilia and in military fatigues.

The RCMP has warned the pair were considered dangerous and should not be approached.

A Toyota RAV4 used by the teens was found burnt-out near Gillam on Tuesday, almost 3000km from the double murder. Police said there had been two “established and corroborated” sightings in the area.

There is only one way into town by road, and locals say if they fled to the woods, they will be battling a harsh environment where sandflies and mosquitoes would eat them alive. There are also bears and wolves to be contended with.

Police are checking cars entering and leaving the town and have searched abandoned buildings. Armoured vehicles and police negotiators have been brought in.

There had been no reported stolen vehicles, raising the prospect the two were on foot or hiding out on someone’s property.

Worried residents are locking their doors as calls were made to bring in the military to comb the vast wilderness area.

“At this point in the investi­gation, we believe they are still in the area,” Ms Courchaine said.

Schmegelsky’s mother, Deborah Sweeney, yesterday pleaded with her son to surrender in a letter passed to media. Her former husband, Schmegelsky’s father Alan, has said he feared his son was on a “suicide mission” and would go out in a “blaze of glory”.

“The police officers up there are trained for these types of situations,” Ms Courchaine said.