The Mounties are pulling out of York Landing, Manitoba as the search continues for two teen suspects wanted for murder in British Columbia.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued an update on Tuesday, saying the manhunt in the York Landing area ended without success.
The search was triggered by a tip from an Indigenous-led neighbourhood watch group, that two men matching the descriptions of 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky and 19-year-old Kam McLeod had been seen at the local dump.
The pair are charged with second-degree murder in the death of University of British Columbia professor Leonard Dyck and are considered suspects in the fatal shootings of Australian Lucas Fowler and his American girlfriend Chynna Deese.
It has been 15 days since the bodies of Fowler and Deese were found along the Alaska Highway in northern B.C.
Four days later, Dyck's body was found two kilometres from a burned-out truck belonging to two missing teens from Port Alberni.
The RCMP says officers remain in the Gillam area and will continue to conduct searches in high probability areas for any signs of the suspects. The search of remote areas is being conducted both on foot and in the air.
According to the Mounties, more than 500 homes in northern Manitoba have been visited by investigators.
The Royal Canadian Air Force continues to assist with the search.
Investigators have now received over 260 tips in the past seven days. None have established that the suspects are outside of the Gillam area. However, the RCMP continues to remind the public that it is possible the suspects inadvertently received assistance and are no longer in the area.
RCMP Statement on the Search for Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod;
Gillam, Manitoba — A search of the York Landing area, which included the use of helicopters, drones, military resources, and door to door canvasses, has been completed. RCMP is unable to substantiate the tip that the suspects had been in the area. The heavy police presence in York Landing has been withdrawn and policing resources in the community is back to normal. The RCMP thanks the community for their patience and understanding, and continues to remind residents to remain vigilant.
RCMP resources remain in the Gillam area and will continue to conduct searches in high probability areas for any signs of the suspects. The search of remote areas is being conducted both on foot and in the air.
The informational check-stop at PR 280 and PR 290, the road leading into Gillam, has been removed.
Officers have now completed their door to door canvasses in Fox Lake Cree Nation and the Town of Gillam. To date, over 500 homes have been visited by investigators.
The Royal Canadian Air Force continues to assist with the search.
Investigators have now received over 260 tips in the past seven days. None have established that the suspects are outside of the Gillam area. However, the RCMP continues to remind the public that it is possible the suspects inadvertently received assistance and are no longer in the area. We continue to investigate all possibilities.
Anyone with tips about the suspects should immediately contact their local police of jurisdiction.
It is critical that all Canadians remain vigilant for Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky. If they are spotted, do not approach, call 9-1-1 or your local police immediately