Manhunt subjects hoped to kill more
RCMP have determined no motive for killings by McLeod, Schmegelsky Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky admit in a video to killing three people.
In videos recorded before their suicides, Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky confessed to killing three people and said they wanted to kill more.
In a long-awaited update, RCMP revealed a litany of shocking details about the nationwide manhunt and said they haven’t been able to determine a motive for the two young men.
Schmegelsky, 18, and McLeod, 19, both from Port Alberni, B.C., were charged in the death of Vancouverite Len Dyck and suspected in the double homicide of Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese.
RCMP said Dyck suffered a gunshot wound, as well as injuries to his head and body, including bruises and burn marks. However, his cause of death will not be shared publicly.
“There was no indication that these were planned or predicted,” said Kevin Hackett, B.C. RCMP assistant commissioner, at a press conference in Surrey, B.C. He called the killings crimes of opportunity.
The working theory, RCMP say, is that the pair shot and killed Fowler and Deese for no known reason, drove up to the Yukon, then returned to B.C. because of vehicle issues.
Then, police believe, they killed Dyck on the side of a B.C. highway and proceeded to burn their own vehicle to dispose of incriminating evidence. Next, they stole Dyck’s vehicle and other items — including his digital camera — before driving east toward Manitoba. Once in Manitoba they burned the car they’d stolen and set out into the wilderness on foot near Gillam, Man.
Eventually, they found themselves near a river where they were able to hide, but were trapped from going any further.
Police said Friday that the two men recorded several videos, detailing various ideas of what they’d do next.
In the first video, which is 58 seconds long, they take responsibility for the three murders and say their plan is to march to HudsonBay and hijack a boat to Africa or Europe.
Hackett said that in the videos McLeod and Schmegelsky were “cold” and “remorseless.”
In the second video, Schmegelsky says they have reached the river, which is big and moving fast. He says they may have to kill themselves and McLeod agrees.
In the third video, they say they have shaved in preparation for their own deaths and want to retrace their steps and kill more people.
They say they expect to be dead within a week.
In the fourth video, the young men say they are going to shoot themselves.
A fifth video, which is only six seconds long, appears to be taken by accident, say RCMP.
The sixth and final video is their “last will and testament” and both men say they want to be cremated.
Three still photos were also recovered from the camera. One depicts Schmegelsky lying on his side posing with an SKS rifle, another is blurred and appears to be taken by accident and the third appears to be a selfie taken by McLeod that shows him from the chest up.
Soon after, they died by suicide. RCMP say they believe McLeod shot Schmegelsky before completing the pact and shooting himself.
Days later, their bodies were found near a river in rural Manitoba.
Police will not release copies of the videos or photos for fear they might inspire others to copy the actions of the two men.
Behavioural specialists who analyzed the video told RCMP they think McLeod and Schmegelsky made the recordings for notoriety.