'The worst ever love story': Dad's heartbreak as police hunt mystery man in couple's murder
The father of an Australian man who was found shot dead beside his American girlfriend on the side of a rural Canadian highway has made a public plea for information on their deaths as police hunt a mystery bearded man.
NSW Police Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler addressed the media in British Columbia as investigations continue into the deaths of 23-year-old Lucas Fowler and his partner Chynna Deese, 24, on the Alaska Highway a week ago.
The pair had broken down in their blue 1986 Chevrolet 20km south of Liard Hot Springs before their bodies were found on the roadside.
Chief Inspector Fowler said the pair had embarked on a trip across Canada after they “fell in love” and he had spoken to his son just hours before he embarked on what turned out to be his final trip.
“Lucas was just a fun loving guy... he met Chynna and they became an inseparable pair,” Chief Inspector Fowler told reporters on Monday (local time).
“It’s a love story thats ended tragically... it’s the worst ever love story.”
Asked if it was a surreal scenario to find himself on the other side of investigations, he said his experiences in such situations has proved redundant.
“Nothing prepares me for what my family is going through now,” he said.
While appearing calm and collected, Chief Inspector Fowler seemed emotional during several pauses of silence as he took questions from the floor.
Following on from local police, he urged anyone with any information, no matter how small, to come forward.
Police release composite of man of interest
Royal Canadian Mounted Police released a composite image of a man they would like to speak to after a witness said she saw a bearded man in a roadside confrontation with Mr Fowler the day before the pair were found dead.
Road worker Alandra Hull said she saw Mr Fowler and Ms Deese talking with a man who appeared to be frustrated.
RMCP Sergeant Janelle Shoihet described him as tanned, wearing a hat and maybe glasses, and was several inches shorter than Mr Fowler’s six-foot-three frame.
However Sergeant Shoihet insisted the man was not a suspect and police merely wanted to speak to him as part of their investigations.
They said he was driving an old Jeep Cherokee at the time with black racing stripes on the bonnet.
Police also released CCTV footage of the couple pulling into a petrol station in their blue van.
The pair can be seen hugging at the station before driving off in the last known footage of the pair before their deaths.
Police hesitant on serial killer speculation
Police also addressed the media on a body found on Friday near a burning red and grey Dodge pick-up truck that had a distinctive sleeping camper attached.
The body has not been identified but the Dodge was driven by 19-year-old Kam McLeod and 18-year-old Bryer Schmegelsky from Port Alberni, British Columbia.
Police said Mr McLeod and Mr Schmegelsky "have not been in contact with their family for the last few days".
The Dodge was found near Dease Lake, approximately 470km away from where Mr Fowler and Ms Deese were found dead.
However police once again were cautious on suggestion the death is connected to the deaths of Mr Fowler and Ms Deese, however did say it was “possible”.
Reporters were visibly irate during Monday’s press conference after police were unable to provide any information on the man’s cause of death.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes orGoogle Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
