Virgin River Actor Stewart McLean Found Dead in BC — Police Treating Case as Homicide

The Canadian acting community is in shock today. Remains found in Lions Bay, British Columbia have been identified as Stewart McLean — a working Canadian actor known for his appearances in Virgin River, Arrow, and Murder in a Small Town. Police are treating his death as a homicide.

By Maplestime Entertainment Desk | Vancouver, British Columbia | May 22, 2026 Sources: CBC News | Deadline | Global News | Last updated: May 22, 2026 — 6:00 PM ET

Key Takeaways

• Stewart McLean, 45, was reported missing on May 18, 2026 after not being seen since May 15
• He was last seen at his home in Lions Bay, BC — approximately 45 minutes north of Vancouver
• BC’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed his remains were found on May 22
• Squamish RCMP transitioned the case to a homicide investigation after uncovering evidence on May 20
• McLean appeared in Netflix’s Virgin River, CBC’s Murder in a Small Town, Arrow, Travelers, and Happy Face
• His talent agency Lucas Talent in Vancouver confirmed the news and paid tribute
• Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the IHIT tip line: 1-877-551-IHIT (4448)

What Happened — The Full Timeline

The story began on May 18, 2026, when Squamish RCMP received a missing persons report for Stewart McLean. The 45-year-old McLean, sometimes credited on TV projects as Stew McLean, was last seen May 15 at his residence in Lions Bay — about a half-hour outside Squamish and 45 minutes from Vancouver.

Squamish RCMP were notified on May 18 that McLean had not been seen since May 15. RCMP Sgt. Vanessa Munn said police were told that McLean was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community in BC’s Sea-to-Sky region around 20 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.

What began as a missing persons investigation moved quickly. The Squamish RCMP said its missing persons investigation uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe McLean was the victim of homicide. On May 20, IHIT — the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team — deployed and assumed conduct of the investigation.

Then on Friday May 22, came the confirmation that the Canadian entertainment industry had been dreading.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says investigators have identified the remains of a missing actor in Lions Bay, BC. The remains of BC actor Stewart McLean have been found, investigators say.

The Investigation — What Police Are Saying

Investigators say they are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the actor’s death. IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper said in a statement that homicide investigators are working to collect and analyze evidence, review CCTV footage and conduct interviews to build a timeline of Mr. McLean’s activities prior to May 15, 2026.

On May 21, IHIT investigators were at McLean’s home in the Brunswick Beach area of Lions Bay. Homicide investigators were seen near McLean’s house in the Brunswick Beach area, at the train tracks and in the nearby water.

Squamish RCMP continues to work closely with IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact: IHIT Information Line: 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) IHIT Email: [email protected]

Who Was Stewart McLean?

Stewart McLean was a familiar face in the Canadian television industry — a working actor who brought dedication and craft to every role he took on, building his career steadily since 2015.

Most recently, he played a barfly on a 2026 episode of Virgin River, the Netflix drama that films in British Columbia. He also appeared in an episode of the Canadian series Murder in a Small Town, Happy Face, the DC show Arrow, Travelers, The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story, and the Freeform TV series Beyond. Lifetimo

His talent agency, Lucas Talent — the Vancouver-based agency that represented the actor — shared a tribute on Facebook. “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean,” the post reads. “He was always such a pleasure to deal with — dedicated, professional, eager, and endlessly funny. Many casting directors have reached out to share their condolences with Stew’s family and with our agency, and every message says the same thing: what a truly great guy he was, and how deeply he will be missed.” WordPress.com

The outpouring from the Canadian entertainment industry since news of his death broke has been significant. Colleagues, casting directors, and fellow actors have spoken consistently of a professional who brought genuine warmth and commitment to every set he worked on. For the many Canadians who pursue careers in television in BC — one of North America’s most active production hubs — McLean represented the dedicated working actor who shows up, does the work, and earns the respect of everyone around him.

Virgin River — A Show Rooted in BC

Virgin River is one of Netflix’s most popular Canadian-produced series, filming extensively throughout British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky region — the same area where Stewart McLean lived and where his remains were found. The show has brought significant international attention to the natural beauty of BC and employed hundreds of local actors and crew members across its run.

McLean’s appearance in Virgin River’s most recent season made him part of a production that Canadians are deeply proud of — and his death has sent ripples through a tight-knit BC entertainment community that mourns the loss of one of its own.

The Investigation Is Active and Ongoing

Police are clear that this investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been announced. No suspects have been named publicly. IHIT — British Columbia’s specialized homicide unit, which handles the province’s most serious cases — is leading the investigation and working with multiple forensic and investigative resources.

Maplestime will update this article as new information becomes available. Bookmark this page or subscribe to The Maple Briefing to receive updates as this story develops.

Sources: CBC News | Deadline | Global News | Variety | Information current as of May 22, 2026 6:00 PM ET. This is a developing story.

Have information about this case? Contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or [email protected]

Corrections: [email protected]

Are you following this story? Share this article with anyone who watches Virgin River or follows Canadian entertainment — and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.