KILLER ON A ‘MISSION’
Dad believes son and mate will ‘go out in blaze of glory’
DRESSED in army fatigues and brandishing an imitation rifle, this is the baby-faced suspected serial killer police are hunting in Canada.
Three disturbing images of Bryer Schmegelsky were released yesterday, as details emerged of the “armed and dangerous” teen and his video-game obsessed co-accused Kam McLeod.
The duo were last night on the run in a remote area of Canada — 3000km from where they are accused of murdering Australian Lucas Fowler, his American girlfriend Chynna Deese and Vancouver man Leonard Dyck.
Nationwide warrants were issued for their arrest and yesterday Royal Canadian Mounted Police laid seconddegree murder charges against them over Dyck’s slaying.
A manhunt involving dogs and drones was under way 70km northwest of Gillam, in northern Manitoba, after the pair’s burnt-out Rav4 was found in the area.
A checkpoint was set up by police on the main road into the area to alert locals.
“We continue to ask the public to remain vigilant for Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky, and consider them to be armed and dangerous”, the RCMP said in a statement.
“The two may being using a different vehicle, on foot or even travelling separately. If they are spotted, do not approach, call 9-1-1 or your local police immediately.”
Schmegelsky’s father, Alan Schmegelsky, said his son is in “very serious pain”, still traumatised by his parents’ 2005 divorce.
“A normal child doesn’t travel across the country killing people. A child in some very serious pain does,” Mr Schmegelsky told Canadian Press.
Mr Schmegelsky said he expects his son will die in some sort of final pursuit with police.
“He’s on a … mission. He wants his pain to end,” he said.
“Basically, he’s going to be dead today or tomorrow. I know that. Rest in peace, Bryer. I love you. I’m so sorry all this had to happen.”
Even if his son is caught,
his life will be over, his father said.
“He wants his hurt to end. They’re going to go out in a blaze of glory. Trust me on this.”
He said his son bought a black suit from the Walmart where he worked this year, adding: “Now I realise it’s his funeral suit.”
It came as a new photo emerged of the van driven by Mr Fowler and Ms Deece, with its rear window smashed and the couple’s bodies lying in a ditch nearby.
The picture is believed to have been taken by a truck driver who came across the murder scene on the Alaska Highway, in northern British Columbia and called the police.
Meanwhile, the photos of Schmegelsky were shared with an online gamer and show him posing with an ‘Airsoft Rifle’ which fires plastic pellets.
It is believed to be a gift he received two years ago for Christmas.
Another shows Nazi memorabilia including a knife with the inscription “blut und ehre” (blood and honour) and a swastika armband.
A third image shows him in a black gas mask.
The school friends were fans of survivalist video games, which encourage players to kill and eat their victims.
Their Steam accounts, used for gaming, are said to have been active for just one week before they were first reported missing.
The pair are also linked to a YouTube account, Illusive Gaming, now taken down.
McLeod’s father, Keith McLeod, issued a statement from his home in Port Alberni addressed to “the people who truly care”.
He wrote: “I’m sitting at home worrying about my son. Relentless media hounding us for information that we don’t have.
“This is what I do know,” Mr McLeod wrote. “Kam is a kind, considerate, caring young man — always has been concerned about other people’s feelings.
“As we are trapped in our homes due to media people, we try to wrap our heads around what is happening and hope that Kam will come home to us safely so we can all get to the bottom of this story.”