The remains of Canadian actor Stewart McLean have been found in the Lions Bay area of British Columbia, police say.
His death is being investigated as a homicide, according to Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
McLean, who was 45, recently appeared as a barfly in an episode of the hit Netflix series Virgin River. He had had not been seen since May 15.
The Edmonton-born actor was last seen at his home in Lions Bay, British Columbia, according to reports. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Squamish subsequently received a missing person report May 18. RCMP turned the case over to IHIT on May 20.
In a statement to The Independent, Cpl. Esther Tupper of IHIT 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.”
Police have encouraged anyone with any information regarding McLean’s death to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp–grc.gc.ca.
Shortly after he was first reported missing, the RCMP said in a statement that they were “very concerned for Stewart's health and well-being.”
The actor, who has often been credited as Stew McLean, worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. His earliest credits include an appearance in the 2016 television film Signed, Sealed, Delivered: One in a Million, the DC superhero show Arrow and the fantasy series Supernatural.
McLean’s more recent credits include an episode of the Canadian series Murder in a Small Town and the crime drama Happy Face.
He also regularly appeared in short films and worked as a producer, and often filmed near to Vancouver, including on Bowen Island and in Squamish.
The Netflix series Virgin River was developed by Sue Tenney as an adaptation of the book series of the same name by Robyn Carr. The series follows a nurse practitioner who moves from Los Angeles to the remote Northern California town of Virgin River, where she discovers a tight-knit community. The romantic drama films in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province.
The show proved a hit for the streaming service after debuting in 2019. Its seventh season premiered March 12, 2026.
