Topline: Actor Stewart McLean was found dead in British Columbia after being reported missing, and Canadian authorities say the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
Published: May 27, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
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Stewart McLean (via RCMP)
LIONS BAY, BC — The remains of Stewart McLean, a 45-year-old Canadian actor known for appearances on Netflix’s “Virgin River” and several other television productions, were discovered in Lions Bay, British Columbia, and authorities said they are treating his death as a homicide.
According to KHOU, McLean was reported missing on May 18 after he had not been seen since May 15. Authorities said he was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community northwest of Vancouver, before the investigation into his disappearance escalated.
Investigators said evidence uncovered during the missing persons case led them to believe McLean had been the victim of a homicide. That development prompted the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT, to take over the case.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the evidence that caused them to classify the case as a homicide. Investigators said they are also working with the Integrated Forensic Identification Service.
IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper said investigators are collecting and analyzing evidence, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interviews to build a timeline of McLean’s activities before May 15, 2026. Officials said they are pursuing all available leads as they work to find answers for McLean’s family, friends and loved ones.
Lucas Talent, the agency that represented McLean, confirmed his death in a social media tribute. The agency described him as dedicated, professional, eager and endlessly funny, and said casting directors had reached out with condolences for his family and the agency.
McLean’s screen credits included one episode of Netflix’s “Virgin River,” an episode of the Fox crime drama “Murder in a Small Town,” the Paramount+ true crime series “Happy Face” and the Lifetime movie “The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.” Earlier in his career, he also appeared in The CW’s “Arrow,” the Netflix series “Travelers” and the Freeform series “Beyond.”
He was often credited professionally as Stew McLean and was also listed on IMDb as a producer in addition to his acting work.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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‘Virgin River’ Actor Stewart McLean Found Dead as Homicide Investigation Opens
Actor Stewart McLean was found dead in British Columbia after being reported missing, and Canadian authorities say the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 27, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Stewart McLean (via RCMP)
LIONS BAY, BC — The remains of Stewart McLean, a 45-year-old Canadian actor known for appearances on Netflix’s “Virgin River” and several other television productions, were discovered in Lions Bay, British Columbia, and authorities said they are treating his death as a homicide.
According to KHOU, McLean was reported missing on May 18 after he had not been seen since May 15. Authorities said he was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community northwest of Vancouver, before the investigation into his disappearance escalated.
Investigators said evidence uncovered during the missing persons case led them to believe McLean had been the victim of a homicide. That development prompted the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT, to take over the case.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the evidence that caused them to classify the case as a homicide. Investigators said they are also working with the Integrated Forensic Identification Service.
IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper said investigators are collecting and analyzing evidence, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interviews to build a timeline of McLean’s activities before May 15, 2026. Officials said they are pursuing all available leads as they work to find answers for McLean’s family, friends and loved ones.
Lucas Talent, the agency that represented McLean, confirmed his death in a social media tribute. The agency described him as dedicated, professional, eager and endlessly funny, and said casting directors had reached out with condolences for his family and the agency.
McLean’s screen credits included one episode of Netflix’s “Virgin River,” an episode of the Fox crime drama “Murder in a Small Town,” the Paramount+ true crime series “Happy Face” and the Lifetime movie “The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.” Earlier in his career, he also appeared in The CW’s “Arrow,” the Netflix series “Travelers” and the Freeform series “Beyond.”
He was often credited professionally as Stew McLean and was also listed on IMDb as a producer in addition to his acting work.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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‘Virgin River’ Actor Stewart McLean Found Dead as Homicide Investigation Opens
Actor Stewart McLean was found dead in British Columbia after being reported missing, and Canadian authorities say the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: May 27, 2026 4:30 pm ET
Stewart McLean (via RCMP)
LIONS BAY, BC — The remains of Stewart McLean, a 45-year-old Canadian actor known for appearances on Netflix’s “Virgin River” and several other television productions, were discovered in Lions Bay, British Columbia, and authorities said they are treating his death as a homicide.
According to KHOU, McLean was reported missing on May 18 after he had not been seen since May 15. Authorities said he was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community northwest of Vancouver, before the investigation into his disappearance escalated.
Investigators said evidence uncovered during the missing persons case led them to believe McLean had been the victim of a homicide. That development prompted the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT, to take over the case.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the evidence that caused them to classify the case as a homicide. Investigators said they are also working with the Integrated Forensic Identification Service.
IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper said investigators are collecting and analyzing evidence, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interviews to build a timeline of McLean’s activities before May 15, 2026. Officials said they are pursuing all available leads as they work to find answers for McLean’s family, friends and loved ones.
Lucas Talent, the agency that represented McLean, confirmed his death in a social media tribute. The agency described him as dedicated, professional, eager and endlessly funny, and said casting directors had reached out with condolences for his family and the agency.
McLean’s screen credits included one episode of Netflix’s “Virgin River,” an episode of the Fox crime drama “Murder in a Small Town,” the Paramount+ true crime series “Happy Face” and the Lifetime movie “The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.” Earlier in his career, he also appeared in The CW’s “Arrow,” the Netflix series “Travelers” and the Freeform series “Beyond.”
He was often credited professionally as Stew McLean and was also listed on IMDb as a producer in addition to his acting work.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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