The search for missing actor Stewart McLean ended in tragedy after a body was found, leaving one friend struggling to understand how anyone could have gotten “the drop on” him.
Authorities opened a missing-person investigation on Monday, May 18, after McLean was last seen at his Lions Bay, British Columbia home three days earlier. On Friday, May 22, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provided a heartbreaking update.
Police said McLean, 45, who appeared in Virgin River, was found dead in the Lions Bay area. Investigators subsequently reclassified the file as a homicide investigation, a development that has shocked people close to him.
Acting coach and friend Jeff Seymour told the Canadian Press he quickly sensed something was wrong when McLean didn’t turn up as expected. Seymour said: “He was meticulous about everything and there would be no chance he blew it off or slept too late.”
He added: “As soon as I heard he didn’t make it on Saturday morning, I knew there was big trouble.”
Describing McLean as a “straight arrow,” Seymour said it was difficult to make sense of what happened.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. He was incredibly situationally aware,” he added of McLean’s death. “I bring it up because for the life of me, I don’t know how anybody could get the drop on [Stewart].”
McLean had spent the past 11 years building his acting career, with credits including Murder in a Small Town, Happy Face, the DC series Arrow, Travelers, and The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.
His representatives at Lucas Talent Inc. confirmed his death and shared a tribute in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean. I was fortunate to have worked with Stew for more than 10 years.”
It continued: “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. Rest in peace, Stew. xo”
Following the discovery, Canadian law enforcement issued a public call for information. The RCMP opened a murder investigation and transferred conduct to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
“On May 20, IHIT deployed and assumed conduct of the investigation,” a press release from RCMP on Thursday said.
“Squamish RCMP continues to work closely with IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the investigation. Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was victim of homicide.
“Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp–grc.gc.ca.”
In a further update the next day, police said: “As the investigation continues to unfold, 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.”
Separately, an IHIT officer said they ‘are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. McLean.’
They said: “As the investigation continues to unfold, 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.”