BODY MAY BE TIED TO KILLS
A BEARDED man driving a Jeep Cherokee has emerged as the key to solving the shooting murders of Australian tourist Lucas Fowler, his American girlfriend Chynna Deese and potentially another murder.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have released a sketch of the man who was seen talking to Mr Fowler on a remote highway in northern British Columbia a week ago.
Mr Fowler, 23, from Sydney, and Ms Deese, 24, from North Carolina, were stranded on the highway after their van broke down on July 14. They were found dead next day.
The RCMP raised fears the couple may be victims of a murderous crime spree, declaring it was possible the killings are linked to the discovery on Friday of another dead man, two missing teenagers and a torched pick-up truck.
“We have two complex and dynamic ongoing investigations that are happening in northern BC,” RCMP Corporal Chris Manseau said.
The man who was seen talking to Mr Fowler was described “as caucasian with darker skin and dark hair”.
His Jeep has black pinstripes on the bonnet.
“He’s shorter than Lucas who stood six foot three (190cm) and has a possible beard or glasses,” RCMP Sergeant Janelle Shoihet.
The RCMP also released video of Mr Fowler and Ms Deese stopping for fuel at a petrol station at Fort Nelson, BC, the day before their murders in the hope it encouraged members of the public to come forward with information.
The RCMP had played down speculation of a serial killer or crime spree linking the murders of the couple to the discovery 470km away of the body, missing teenagers and the burning truck.
“We just know more,” said Corporal Manseau, explaining the change.
The missing teenagers are Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, from Port Alberni, BC.
The RCMP said they were driving the pick-up but had not been in contact with their family for the last few days. Sgt Shoihet said investigators were not treating the teens as suspects but wanted them to contact authorities.
The body found 2km from their pick-up was of a bearded man aged 50 to 60 years old.
The RCMP have been unable to identify the man.
Mr Fowler’s heartbroken father, Stephen Fowler, a senior NSW Police officer, gave an emotional address to the media at the press conference in Canada.
“I may be an experienced police officer but I’m standing here as the father of the murder victim,” Chief Inspector Fowler, of Sydney’s northwest Hills district, said. “We’re just distraught.” Mr Fowler and Ms Deese met backpacking in Croatia two years ago and, according to Insp Fowler, became inseparable.
“It’s a love story that’s ended tragically,” he said. “It really is the worst ever love story because we now have two young people who had everything ahead of them tragically murdered.”