'Virgin River' actor Stewart McLean's remains found; police launch homicide investigation

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains gruesome details of murder and violence, which could be triggering for some readers.Stewart ‘Stew’ McLean, who appeared briefly in the hit series ‘Virgin River,’ had notably been missing since May 15. The Canadian actor’s remains have reportedly been found in the Lions Bay area of British Columbia. Currently, the unfortunate demise is being treated as a possible homicide.A missing person report was logged on May 18, 2026, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Squamish after the actor was last seen in Lions Bay, according to The Independent. RCMP submitted the case to Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The investigation is ongoing to unfold the events and analyse the evidence, officials revealed.Interviews are being conducted, and the security surveillance footage is being reviewed to connect the dots of the timeline of McLean’s traces before May 15. “We are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. McLean,” the authorities said, according to the outlet. Previously, the RCMP had shared concerns for his well-being and health in a statement after the missing person report was filed.Stewart ‘Stew’ McLean has appeared in many roles, contributing to the entertainment industry for over a decade. Recently, he starred in ‘Virgin River’ in the role of Barfly. The seventh season was recently released in March 2026, after being a consistent fan favorite since 2019.However, his previous credits include ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: One in a Million,’ ‘Murder in a Small Town,’ ‘Happy Face,’ and fantasy series ‘Supernaturals,’ along with DC superhero show ‘Arrow.’ Beyond acting in appearances, McLean was also a renowned producer, who worked on the projects ‘Beyond’ and ‘Travelers’ in 2016. Moreover, he appeared in short films.DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is struggling with any form of abuse, please seek support. Reach out to a mental health specialist, an NGO, or a trusted individual. Numerous helplines are also available to help.