Missing ‘Virgin River' Actor Now Suspected to Be Victim of Homicide
Canadian authorities say missing actor Stewart McLean is now believed to be the victim of a homicide after investigators uncovered evidence during the search for the Virgin River actor.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced Thursday, May 21 that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has officially taken over the case.
"Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was victim of homicide," police said in a statement.
Authorities said McLean was reported missing on May 18 after he had not been seen since May 15. Police said he was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, British Columbia.
Police had initially said they were "very concerned" for McLean's health and well-being after he disappeared. According to the original RCMP missing persons bulletin, McLean was described as 5-foot-10 with gray hair and blue eyes.
On May 20, IHIT officially assumed control of the investigation as Squamish RCMP and forensic identification teams continued working the case.
McLean, who was often credited professionally as Stew McLean, recently appeared in an episode of Netflix's Virgin River and also had credits in shows including Arrow, Travelers, The 100, Supernatural, Beyond and Murder in a Small Town.
His recent work also included appearances in the Paramount+ series Happy Face and the Lifetime movie The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, McLean worked steadily in film and television productions throughout the Vancouver area for more than a decade, including projects filmed in Squamish and Bowen Island.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact the IHIT information line as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding McLean's disappearance.
Parade reached out to Sgt. Vanessa Munn of the Media Relations department of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for additional comment. Munn said the information currently available is contained in Thursday's RCMP media release announcing the homicide investigation and noted that investigators "likely" expect to issue another brief update later Friday.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 11:14 AM.