亚洲天堂 that RCMP in Manitoba have likely discovered the bodies of two B.C. fugitives that have been the subject of a Canada-wide manhunt is 鈥渁bsolutely devastating,鈥� says Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions.

Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, both of Port Alberni, were suspected in the deaths of three people in northernB.C. in mid-July. They were last seen on July 22 near Gillam, Man., and since then, the RCMP, the military and countless others have conducted an intense cross-country search that covered more than 11,000 square kilometres.

鈥淲e are definitely saddened by the news today, as a city and as a community. It鈥檚 definitely not the outcome that we had hoped for,鈥� Minions said.

鈥淣o matter how you look at it, there has been so much tragedy. This has affected people across the country, and across the world. We鈥檙e thankful the search at least has come to a conclusion.鈥�

Minions said she has not reached out to the young men鈥檚 families yet. 鈥淥ver the last couple of weeks, I have tried to respect their privacy. But I am planning to reach out now,鈥� she said.

The families of McLeod and Schmegelsky were not available for comment on Wednesday.

鈥淲e request that you respect privacy at this time, by keeping off our property and not ringing the door bell or banging on our door,鈥� a sign on Schmegelsky鈥檚 grandmother鈥檚 door said. 鈥淲e will not be making any statement.鈥�

Gillam Mayor Forman said it鈥檚 not a surprise they were found dead.

鈥淭his is non-forgiving terrain 鈥� there was a lot of speculation this was likely to be the outcome,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he closure is here for Gillam and the Fox Lake area. But the closure for the victims鈥� families is far from over.鈥�

RELATED:

Deese鈥檚 brother, British Deese, told The Associated Press that the family needed time to process the news that the suspects鈥� bodies had been found.

鈥淲e are speechless,鈥� he said in a text message, declining further comment.

鈥� with files from The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on