The search for a missing Lions Bay, B.C., man has turned into a homicide investigation.
Squamish RCMP were notified on May 18 that Stewart McLean, 45, has not been seen since May 15.
RCMP Sgt. Vanessa Munn said police were told that McLean was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region around 20 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.
McLean was an actor who appeared in TV series such as Virgin River and Murder in a Small Town.
On May 19, police asked the public’s assistance in locating McLean, saying there were concerns for his health and well-being.
Lions Bay Search and Rescue led the search for McLean on May 20.
Search manager Maria Masiar said they began searching around 9 a.m. PT and stood down in the afternoon.
“Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was the victim of a homicide,” Munn said.
On the same day that the search was started, B.C.’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) assumed conduct of the investigation.
“Squamish RCMP continues to work closely with IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the investigation,” Munn said.
No further details have been provided about where or if McLean’s body has been found.
Investigators were seen near McLean’s house in the Brunswick Beach area on Thursday, at the train tracks and in the nearby water.
IHIT is responsible for investigating homicides, suspicious deaths, and high-risk missing persons where foul play is suspected.
Homicide investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police.
Longtime neighbour Russ Meiklejohn said it was hard to imagine that someone wanted to do McLean harm.
Meiklejohn’s wife Dorothy said McLean would always give her a big hug when they saw each other — even if it was snowing or raining — and that he worked hard to make a living as an actor.
“That’s just so hard to think that he’s, like, gone. Because he was part of this network, this community, as tiny as it is, he was a big part of it,” she said.
The couple said neighbours were shocked to see dozens of police officers in full gear conducting investigations.
“I think most people are quite incredulous,” Russ said.
