Stewart “Stew” McLean, who appeared in Netflix’s Virgin River, was found dead in British Columbia days after being reported missing in Canada. Squamish RCMP say their investigation uncovered evidence he was a victim of homicide.
Stewart “Stew” McLean’s absence lasted only a matter of days before it turned into a case the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are treating as homicide.
McLean, who appeared in the Netflix series Virgin River, was found dead in Canada shortly after he was reported missing. The Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced they were investigating his disappearance as a homicide. saying in a May 21. 2026 press release that their investigation uncovered evidence leading them to believe he was “a victim of homicide.”.
RCMP described the investigation as active and evidence-driven, adding that as the case continues to unfold, homicide investigators are working to collect and analyze evidence, review CCTV footage and conduct interviews. Their aim is to build a timeline of McLean’s activities prior to May 15, 2026.
In a statement, IHIT Cpl. Esther Tupper said. “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. We are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family. friends and loved ones of Mr. McLean.”.
McLean was a native of Edmonton, Canada. His IMDb profile lists him as an actor and producer, and his career included work across film and television.
In Virgin River, McLean appeared as a barfly character in a season 7 episode.
His acting history also included roles in series such as Supernatural. Arrow. Blue Steele. Travelers. Beyond. The 100. Siren. Murder in a Small Town and Cloud Van Tales. Earlier in his career. he appeared in short films including 2015’s Buddy Cops. 2016’s Detective Williams. 2017’s Uniforms and 2018’s Return to Sender. He also made his acting debut in an uncredited role in Snow Falcon.
The timeline of McLean’s disappearance and death has tightened the focus of investigators. His remains were uncovered in the Lions Bay area of British Columbia on May 22. 2026. after he had been reported missing on May 18. During the search, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they were “very concerned for Stewart’s health and well-being.”.
The case now centers on questions that only a full timeline can answer—what led up to May 15. 2026. and how the evidence uncovered by Squamish RCMP connected the disappearance to a homicide investigation. For his family. friends and loved ones. those answers are the next step the investigation is working toward. one piece of evidence at a time.
Stew McLean Stewart McLean Virgin River Netflix RCMP Squamish RCMP homicide investigation Lions Bay British Columbia Edmonton actor