The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says the remains of a missing man have been found in the Lions Bay area.
IHIT Cpl. Esther Tupper tells 1130 NewsRadio crews found the remains as they were searching for Stewart McLean, who was initially reported as a missing person until the case was turned over to homicide investigators.
McLean, who was well known in Vancouver’s film industry, was reportedly last seen at his home May 15. On May 18, the Squamish RCMP received a missing person report after McLean hadn’t been seen in four days.
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Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) has shared that it was involved in the search team that first located evidence suggesting the case should be turned over to homicide investigators.
Around 9 a.m. on May 20, LBSAR began searching seven zones throughout the Lions Bay area, including Crystal Falls, Tunnel Point, Brunswick Beach, Magnesia Creek, and surrounding drainages.
“Search teams utilized ground searchers, drone operations for cliff and complex terrain assessment, and requested assistance from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue to conduct shoreline and waterline searches,” the team posted on social media.
“During the operation, search teams located suspicious evidence and immediately transferred the investigation back to Squamish RCMP for further investigation.”
Mounties then called in the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
In an update Friday, IHIT said it was working with the BC Coroners Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service to determine the circumstances around his death. IHIT says it believes this is an isolated incident.
“As the investigation continues to unfold, homicide investigators are working to collect and analyze evidence, review CCTV footage, and conduct interviews to build a timeline of Mr. McLean’s activities prior to May 15, 2026,” said Tupper.
“We are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. McLean.”
According to IMDB, McLean was an actor who appeared in many TV programs, including Virgin River, Murder in a Small Town, and Less Than Nothing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.