Virgin River actor Stewart McLean found dead in British Columbia, homicide probe launched
Stewart McLean’s remains were found in Lions Bay after he vanished on May 15. Police have treated the case as a homicide and have named no suspect.
Stewart McLean’s remains were found in Lions Bay, British Columbia, days after the 45-year-old actor was reported missing, and investigators have now taken the rare step of treating his death as a homicide.
McLean, also known as Stew McLean, was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a Sea-to-Sky community about 20 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. Squamish RCMP were notified on May 18 that he had not been seen since May 15, and Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took over the case on May 20 as the search widened. Officials said the remains were found on May 22.
Police have not publicly named a suspect, given a motive or disclosed a cause of death. The case remains under active investigation by Squamish RCMP, IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service, reflecting the seriousness with which investigators are approaching the discovery. Authorities have said they believe the case is isolated.
McLean had worked steadily in film and television since 2015 and accumulated nearly 40 credits, including appearances in Virgin River, Arrow, Supernatural, Happy Face, The Irrational and Murder in a Small Town. He also worked behind the camera as a producer, building a career that kept him active across multiple productions in British Columbia and beyond.
His agency, Lucas Talent Inc., issued a tribute after his death was confirmed. Agent Jodi Caplan said, “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean,” describing him as dedicated, professional, eager and funny. The tribute underscored the loss felt by colleagues who had worked with him over the years.
Friends also described alarm that set in before the remains were found. Jeff Seymour, a fellow actor and close friend, said he had a feeling something was wrong after McLean went missing and later called the disappearance a “shocker.” Seymour said the two had become fast friends after meeting eight years ago and added that he would like to see justice served.
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