Canada - Lucas Fowler, Chynna Deese, and Leonard Dyck, all murdered, Alaska Hwy, BC, Jul 2019 #19

[Pyecraft]

An interesting article from the New York Times regarding the impact of the murders on the people of Port Alberni.

Hometown of Canadian Teenage Murder Suspects Grapples With Infamy

PA tourism shouldn't be expecting many New Yorker tourists anytime soon, infamy or not.

At SteamPunk Café, a popular spot in downtown Port Alberni next to a park where local drug addicts shoot up, a young woman with a nose-ring confided that one popular theory in town was that the botanist had killed the young couple, prompting the teenagers to kill him after he went after them, and then fleeing and being killed by vigilantes in Manitoba.

We've only ever stopped at PA to gas up before continuing on to Tofino, but that popular cafe now seems to offer much creative conversation. To appreciate it best perhaps, would require a wee visit to that next-door park before ordering.

NYT despite its 127 Pulitzer prizes, seem to have mashed this piece together from web-trolling.

 

[Jan424]

Whoa this just came across my Google Alerts for this case:

B.C. men who led police on a cross-Canada manhunt filmed several videos while on the run

Now this I didn't see coming. Not that I'm shocked, it just adds more insanity to an already insane case. So what would they videotape? Surely not their fun vacation ... "look at this beautiful view, having a great time, wish you were here!" Given the supposed timing of these other videos, that means either they are claiming innocence for the things they are accused of while on the run (then why not turn themselves in), or this really was some sort of game to both of them. Having the mindset to film several videos while trying to elude capture takes this to a whole other level .... just MOO.

 

[MistyWaters]

Wow @ this news! Thanks for posting. Is there anything else interesting in the article? I can't read due to paywall.

The G&M article isn’t behind a paywall for me, not sure why I’m able to read it.

The only other tidbit is the No Contact order with Bs grandmother too. I wonder how long they stay in effect. AS said he’d not seen his son between the ages of 8 and 16 but obviously something significant occurred in 2010 when B was about 10 years old.

“Court records dating back to 2008 show that Al Schmegelsky was charged with several counts of criminal harassment, and he has said in an interview that at least some of those charges were filed because his son’s mother feared he would murder her.

He was ordered in 2010 to have no contact with his ex-wife, her boyfriend or her mother.”
B.C. men who led police on a cross-Canada manhunt filmed several videos while on the run

 

[MistyWaters]

SBM

Yeah, I'm really curious to know more about this, if it was just a weird phrasing by the article, or not. I imagine the RCMP would have told Bryer's dad not to tell anyone about any communications pertinent to the investigation, probably under threat of jail time.

Do you think AS would’ve voluntarily assisted the RCMP at the time, by informing them he was contacted by B? Because he told the media police would shoot first and ask questions later and his son would be dead in a day or two.

 

[KR72]

It doesn’t surprise me that AS and his lawyer are the source of the anonymous leak but it’s also sad in a way if it’s for the purpose of generating a sort of tantalizing but disturbing infamy of B&K while they were on the run after murdering three innocent people. I wonder how interested they are in knowing about any videos L&C took of themselves as they set out on their vacation, filled with happiness, love and adventure. Or maybe the professor’s final lecture was taped. How about that? But I don’t suppose none of three were given the opportunity to record a Last Will and Testament on their cellphone either so who cares, right?

Nope, I guess that fact that his son didn't give his victims a chance to make a "last will and testament" and make specific requests about what to do with their murdered bodies matters much.

What surprises me about his lawyer is that she seems like a smart and very progressive minded woman, but she says that she can't understand the backlash her client has faced. If he'd have kept quiet like the other family members of the the suspects, pleaded for his son to turn himself in, and not sent that book off to the media when he did, and play the perpetual victim, then I think a lot more Canadians would have much more sympathy for him and his situation of being a parent of a suspected murderer.

As far as AS receiving help, that's a good thing, and hopefully he complies with any/all services that are offered to him. He's had help offered to him in the past and in his own words, "disagreed" with a psychiatrist that labeled him "delusional."

 

[copkid]

It is impossible to guess how the parents of KM/BS might be feeling but as a parent myself, I feel they are likely searching desperately for answers.

As a parent, I would want to see/hear everything that is contained in the apparent videos, as emotionally difficult as that might be.

Wondering if the RCMP are obligated in any way to eventually allow the families access to the complete videos?

Would anything change if BS died before his 19th birthday ? Would his family (Mom) be more likely to be granted access based on him being a minor?

The 3 murders happened before BS turned 19, therefore, would his Mom be entitled to info regarding her "minor" son?

The Young Offenders Act states it covers youth under the age of 18, and the RCMP released Bryers name to the media when second degree murder charges were laid, indicating he was not protected by the YOA.

I am curious regarding the potential rights of BS legal guardian(s) in relation to receiving information from RCMP, and if the BC legal age of 19 would play any part in that?

 

[KR72]

The Young Offenders Act states it covers youth under the age of 18, and the RCMP released Bryers name to the media when second degree murder charges were laid, indicating he was not protected by the YOA.

I can't answer the rest of your questions, but at 18, BS would be seen as an adult federally/criminally so he definitely wouldn't have had protection under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (there's no more Young Offenders Act).

Edit. I know it's Wiki, but here some good info on the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Youth Criminal Justice Act - Wikipedia

Just for interest, here's info on the old Young Offenders Act and why it was repealed back in 2003.

Young Offenders Act - Wikipedia

 

[CanadianSleuther]

What surprises me about his lawyer is that she seems like a smart and very progressive minded woman, but she says that she can't understand the backlash her client has faced. "

I've looked up her, and apparantly she is known for being very compassionate. So maybe she is just commenting on how she would feel if she was in that situation.

 

[copkid]

It was Vancouver criminal lawyer Paul Doroshenko who said that "his body was burnt" during an interview for CBC. As far as I know, however, he has no special connection to the case. It therefore seems reasonable to assume that he is simply mistaken.

Anyway, that's the source, and I think it is quite unfortunate that folks won't let it go. But that's the nature of this board.

Interview is here, comment is at 5:03: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1584469571997

When I heard this interview I did wonder if "burnt" was a reference to pavement burns, possibly from being dragged by a vehicle? JMO

 

[Gina20]

Very possible they took turns killing and filming and documenting along the way.

But was it posted to the dark web?

 

[MistyWaters]

It is impossible to guess how the parents of KM/BS might be feeling but as a parent myself, I feel they are likely searching desperately for answers.

As a parent, I would want to see/hear everything that is contained in the apparent videos, as emotionally difficult as that might be.

Wondering if the RCMP are obligated in any way to eventually allow the families access to the complete videos?

Would anything change if BS died before his 19th birthday ? Would his family (Mom) be more likely to be granted access based on him being a minor?

The 3 murders happened before BS turned 19, therefore, would his Mom be entitled to info regarding her "minor" son?

The Young Offenders Act states it covers youth under the age of 18, and the RCMP released Bryers name to the media when second degree murder charges were laid, indicating he was not protected by the YOA.

I am curious regarding the potential rights of BS legal guardian(s) in relation to receiving information from RCMP, and if the BC legal age of 19 would play any part in that?

We don’t know if B&K families have been provided with the final results of the police investigation yet but I’m certain that would come before the sharing (or analysis) of any other bits of videos. No one has said any of the family members will be forever denied access. The reported 30 second portion was a “Last Will &Testament” so it would make sense why that’s not involved in the ongoing investigation.

 

[Moriarty]

Whoa this just came across my Google Alerts for this case:

B.C. men who led police on a cross-Canada manhunt filmed several videos while on the run

My apologies everyone if repeating other posters here...I’m in the mountains with spotty cell coverage at best.

Thanks for posting this, @Zella ! I remember when we first learned about the suicide note/video we all wondered what else was on there...I really hope they didn’t film any of the actual murders or post-murder video of the victims. That stuff has a way of leaking out to the public eventually and the world really doesn’t need to see it.

Someone else posted a comment about AS may have had communication with Bryer more recently than the original text when the two left Port Alberni ( sorry to that person, I can’t find it right now).

I have wondered about AS’s initial reaction to his son and Kam being named suspects in July 23. He immediately went to the suicide mission, blaze of glory mindset...almost like he had some insider info or message from his son.

I can’t imagine as a dad what I’d feel or think of this was my kid, but I don’t think I would immediately write my kid off as already dead and beyond saving. That seems a tremendous leap to me. But again, I’m not in his shoes so who knows.

 

[Gunslinging Granny]

PA tourism shouldn't be expecting many New Yorker tourists anytime soon, infamy or not.

At SteamPunk Café, a popular spot in downtown Port Alberni next to a park where local drug addicts shoot up, a young woman with a nose-ring confided that one popular theory in town was that the botanist had killed the young couple, prompting the teenagers to kill him after he went after them, and then fleeing and being killed by vigilantes in Manitoba.

We've only ever stopped at PA to gas up before continuing on to Tofino, but that popular cafe now seems to offer much creative conversation. To appreciate it best perhaps, would require a wee visit to that next-door park before ordering.

NYT despite its 127 Pulitzer prizes, seem to have mashed this piece together from web-trolling.

That's really disturbing. I hope the RCMP soon releases some evidence to shut down such BS theories. These young men were monsters, not heroes!

 

[MistyWaters]

But was it posted to the dark web?

The reported videos were recorded late July/early August. The murders occurred on July 14/15th and 19th.

 

[Gina20]

Were KM's and BS's appearances back in civilization part of a video performance, or coincidental to accessing wifi or data service for the purpose of uploading content?

 

[Pyecraft]

My apologies everyone if repeating other posters here...I’m in the mountains with spotty cell coverage at best.

Thanks for posting this, @Zella ! I remember when we first learned about the suicide note/video we all wondered what else was on there...I really hope they didn’t film any of the actual murders or post-murder video of the victims. That stuff has a way of leaking out to the public eventually and the world really doesn’t need to see it.

Someone else posted a comment about AS may have had communication with Bryer more recently than the original text when the two left Port Alberni ( sorry to that person, I can’t find it right now).

I have wondered about AS’s initial reaction to his son and Kam being named suspects in July 23. He immediately went to the suicide mission, blaze of glory mindset...almost like he had some insider info or message from his son.

I can’t imagine as a dad what I’d feel or think of this was my kid, but I don’t think I would immediately write my kid off as already dead and beyond saving. That seems a tremendous leap to me. But again, I’m not in his shoes so who knows.

This, times over.

Also a minor point perhaps but AS was only allowed view the video at the rcmp BC Surrey headquarters, a return ferry ride away. Did this apply to all family members from PA?

I can see good reason for keeping a viewing only in person, but a local rcmp office in PA or Victoria might have achieved the same tight lid on the video. So, was there was something more regarding AS?

 

[NJSleuth91]

But was it posted to the dark web?

It would have come out by now. More people use the dark web than you might think.

I remember when we first learned about the suicide note/video we all wondered what else was on there...I really hope they didn’t film any of the actual murders or post-murder video of the victims. That stuff has a way of leaking out to the public eventually and the world really doesn’t need to see it.

I don't think so because it says they were filmed on the run in late July/early August. The murders were mid-July and they weren't on the run at that point.

I can’t imagine as a dad what I’d feel or think of this was my kid, but I don’t think I would immediately write my kid off as already dead and beyond saving. That seems a tremendous leap to me. But again, I’m not in his shoes so who knows.

TBH when I saw that interview, I thought it had the most realistic assessment of the situation I'd ever seen from the family member of a suspect. I was like "well at least he isn't lying to himself." And, while he was wrong about the blaze of glory part, he wasn't wrong about the rest of it, was he? Also I think Bryer's dad just doesn't have much of a filter and was so upset, he wasn't thinking about what other people might interpret into it. That's just what he was feeling in that moment.

 

[Gina20]

My apologies everyone if repeating other posters here...I’m in the mountains with spotty cell coverage at best.

Thanks for posting this, @Zella ! I remember when we first learned about the suicide note/video we all wondered what else was on there...I really hope they didn’t film any of the actual murders or post-murder video of the victims. That stuff has a way of leaking out to the public eventually and the world really doesn’t need to see it.

Someone else posted a comment about AS may have had communication with Bryer more recently than the original text when the two left Port Alberni ( sorry to that person, I can’t find it right now).

I have wondered about AS’s initial reaction to his son and Kam being named suspects in July 23. He immediately went to the suicide mission, blaze of glory mindset...almost like he had some insider info or message from his son.

I can’t imagine as a dad what I’d feel or think of this was my kid, but I don’t think I would immediately write my kid off as already dead and beyond saving. That seems a tremendous leap to me. But again, I’m not in his shoes so who knows.

It was AS's absolute conviction in what he said that made me think there had been some kind of manifesto. The homes of the two had been searched, and computers taken. At the time, I thought maybe AS was repeating what the RCMP had told him, from the trail they found on computers or online. Now it seems he could have heard whatever made him say that directly from the source.

 

[NJSleuth91]

It was AS's absolute conviction in what he said that made me think there had been some kind of manifesto. The homes of the two had been searched, and computers taken. At the time, I thought maybe AS was repeating what the RCMP had told him, from the trail they found on computers or online. Now it seems he could have heard whatever made him say that directly from the source.

The additional videos, I think, increase the chance there was some sort of manifesto as well (or additional videos before they left). I'm wondering if the videos were kind of their own 2010s version of the "Basement Tapes."

 

[Moriarty]

TBH when I saw that interview, I thought it had the most realistic assessment of the situation I'd ever seen from the family member of a suspect. I was like "well at least he isn't lying to himself." And, while he was wrong about the blaze of glory part, he wasn't wrong about the rest of it, was he? Also I think Bryer's dad just doesn't have much of a filter and was so upset, he wasn't thinking about what other people might interpret into it. That's just what he was feeling in that moment.

That’s true...it was startlingly raw and honest and part of what drew so many of us to this case I suspect!

I have wondered ever since though about AS’s comments about Bryer trying to escape the pain and how AS wished he could have saved him and basically saying good bye.

Maybe I’m just reading too much into a troubled and upset dad’s remarks, but at the time Bryer was still alive as far as anybody knew. He could still be helped. And what pain? ADHD? Or is AS projecting his own frustrations at life onto his son?