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Outcome of search for B.C. fugitives 91Ƶabsolutely devastating91Ƶ: Alberni mayor

Manitoba RCMP believe they91Ƶve found the bodies of Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky
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News that RCMP in Manitoba have likely discovered the bodies of two B.C. fugitives that have been the subject of a Canada-wide manhunt is 91Ƶabsolutely devastating,91Ƶ says Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions.

Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, both of Port Alberni, were suspected in the deaths of three people in northernB.C. in mid-July. They were last seen on July 22 near Gillam, Man., and since then, the RCMP, the military and countless others have conducted an intense cross-country search that covered more than 11,000 square kilometres.

91ƵWe are definitely saddened by the news today, as a city and as a community. It91Ƶs definitely not the outcome that we had hoped for,91Ƶ Minions said.

91ƵNo matter how you look at it, there has been so much tragedy. This has affected people across the country, and across the world. We91Ƶre thankful the search at least has come to a conclusion.91Ƶ

Minions said she has not reached out to the young men91Ƶs families yet. 91ƵOver the last couple of weeks, I have tried to respect their privacy. But I am planning to reach out now,91Ƶ she said.

The families of McLeod and Schmegelsky were not available for comment on Wednesday.

91ƵWe request that you respect privacy at this time, by keeping off our property and not ringing the door bell or banging on our door,91Ƶ a sign on Schmegelsky91Ƶs grandmother91Ƶs door said. 91ƵWe will not be making any statement.91Ƶ

Gillam Mayor Forman said it91Ƶs not a surprise they were found dead.

91ƵThis is non-forgiving terrain 91Ƶ there was a lot of speculation this was likely to be the outcome,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵThe closure is here for Gillam and the Fox Lake area. But the closure for the victims91Ƶ families is far from over.91Ƶ

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Deese91Ƶs brother, British Deese, told The Associated Press that the family needed time to process the news that the suspects91Ƶ bodies had been found.

91ƵWe are speechless,91Ƶ he said in a text message, declining further comment.

91Ƶ with files from The Canadian Press

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The McLeod family put up several 91Ƶno trespassing91Ƶ signs on their property once news broke that their son, Kam McLeod, was suspected in three northern B.C. homicides. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO
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Port Alberni mayor Sharie Minions makes a statement regarding the discovery of the bodies of two Port Alberni men who have been the subject of a Canada-wide search. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO


Susie Quinn

About the Author: Susie Quinn

A journalist since 1987, I have been the Alberni Valley News editor since August 2006.
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