Two killed in double homicide in B.C.
The RCMP in northeastern British Columbia confirm they are investigating a double homicide involving two young travellers: one from Australia, the other from the United States.
FORT NELSON, B.C. – The RCMP in northeastern British Columbia confirm they are investigating a double homicide involving two young travellers: one from Australia, the other from the United States.
Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said Thursday that Lucas Robertson Fowler of Australia and Chynna Deese, a U.S. woman, were found dead along the Alaska Highway near Liard Hot Springs, south of the B.C.-Yukon boundary.
Investigators are not saying how the pair died.
An older blue minivan with Alberta plates was found at the scene.
Police want to speak with anyone who may have seen the minivan or spoken with the couple between last Sunday afternoon and 8 a.m. Monday.
Investigators are also appealing for dashcam video from anyone who may have been travelling along the Alaska Highway – also known as Highway 97 – last weekend.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Comments (6)
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Groucho d'North on Jul 22, 2019 at 2:58 pm
I hope the missing fellows are soon reported to be picking mushrooms and in good health. Frequently, and especially in areas without cell coverage, young people will pursue opportunities when they appear - like an offered ride after the wiring in the old vehicle catches fire and isolates you on the side of a wilderness road miles from anywhere. Mushroom pickers, geologists, wildlife techs & biologists should be in many places during these summer months. It will take some time for all the info to be reported and evaluated with follow-ups being made. In the mean time I choose to be positive about the status of the missing individuals.
Condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Deese and Mr. Fowler, they deserved much better than the tragedy they got.
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Mr M on Jul 22, 2019 at 9:22 am
As a Yukoner my family is travelling the highway right now. We need to know more information and not have to read it through the Australian news media. Come on RCMP give out more info. I know you can only give out so much but at least give out something. No more picking up of hitchhikers or sleeping on the side of the Alaska Highway for me. RIP young couple.
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Seth Wright on Jul 21, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Dave - Your comments are spot on and they should raise an eyebrow or two... Canada has been on the international watchlist for its unsolved disappearance/ murder rates of female and indigenous female peoples for some time. Not surprising at all that Canadian officials would show such little regard for its citizens outside of the country when it does so within the country...
On your own... In case you have not read one of Josey’s posts - We have been for some time now...
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Miles Emerson on Jul 21, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Very sad that this happened to young people enjoying their relationship in a very beautiful place.
The motivation for this tragic event will show a very dark side of human behaviour.
I hope this crime is solved soon!
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Dave on Jul 20, 2019 at 5:01 pm
This is incredibly terrible to hear, that it should happen to anyone is bad enough let alone two people who from all reports were so full of life and enjoying their lives to the fullest. Three points I’d like to bring up, first that it’s pretty sad when this couple had recently safely travelled around Turkey and Jordan according to the media, but they visit northern Canada and are killed which sure says a lot about the state of things up here these days. Second is the Australian response to this crime, supposedly several detectives flew from Australia to BC to assist or observe the RCMP investigation. If I was an Australian I would be asking some tough questions as to whether my government does that for every Australian killed overseas, or is this special treatment based on the victim being the son of an Australian police supervisor.
Lastly, Canada doesn’t show nearly as much interest if their citizens get killed in other countries. Usually if anything at all the Canadian government will pay lip service by offering the affected family consular assistance and you’re dreaming if you think a Canadian detective would ever fly somewhere to help investigate your murder. As a Canadian you’d do well to consider yourself or your family on your own whenever you’re outside the country any further than the USA. I’d also like to point out that most of the limited information provided about this crime so far has been released to the main stream press by the Australian police, the RCMP as usual doesn’t tell the public anything.
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drum on Jul 20, 2019 at 4:35 pm
So sad, this kind of thing should not happen in Canada. We have murders but the killers and victims are usually known to each other. Alcohol and drugs are usually involved. Drug cartels and gangs. But, this seems so out of place. There has also been a body found at Dease Lake on Thursday. No information released as yet.