"Virgin River" actor Stewart McLean, who was reported missing on May 18, is now believed to be the victim of a homicide, according to Canadian authorities.
McLean, 45, was the subject of a missing person report filed with Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police on May 18, after he was last seen on May 15 at his home in Lions Bay, a small community north of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Police initially appealed to the public for help, saying they were very concerned for his health and well-being and releasing his description as 5-foot-10, about 150 pounds, with grey hair and blue eyes, according to People.
Investigators confirmed that McLean, also known as Stew McLean, was a television performer with credits on the Netflix drama "Virgin River" as well as appearances in "Happy Face," "The Irrational," and "Murder in a Small Town."
As officers with Squamish RCMP began searching for McLean, they uncovered evidence that shifted the case from a standard missing person file to a suspected homicide. Authorities have not publicly detailed the nature of that evidence but said it was significant enough to conclude he may have been the victim of foul play.
Read more: Woman's Legs Amputated After Knife-Wielding Driver Plows Into Crowd of Pedestrians in Italy
On May 20, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT, was deployed and formally took over conduct of the investigation, working alongside Squamish RCMP and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service, Yahoo News reported.
IHIT investigators said they are now focused on reconstructing McLean's movements in the days before he was last seen at his residence. Officers have been seen near his Lions Bay property, along nearby railway tracks and shorelines, as they gather and analyze physical evidence and review CCTV footage from the area.
The homicide team is interviewing friends, neighbors, and colleagues in an effort to build a precise timeline and identify anyone who may have had contact with McLean between early May and May 15.
On Friday, IHIT confirmed that investigators had located and identified McLean's remains in Lions Bay, though no details have been released about the cause of death. Police said they currently believe the incident to be isolated and have not announced any arrests or named any suspects.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about McLean's disappearance or activities leading up to May 15 to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, as per Global News.
