Authorities Find Items Near River 'Directly Linked' To Canadian Teen Murder Suspects

Canadian authorities found several items along a river in Manitoba “directly linked” to two teens wanted for the murders of three people.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) discovered the items on Friday, not far from where a damaged aluminum boat had also been found along the shore of the Nelson River, authorities said in an update to the investigation.

The discovery comes weeks after a massive manhunt was launched by the RCMP to find Kam McLeod, 19 and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18. The pair are wanted in connection with three murders, including the death of American Chynna Deese, 24, and her Australian boyfriend Lucas Fowler, 24, who were found shot to death alongside a rural highway on July 15.

Just four days later—and nearly 300 miles away—officials also discovered the body of botanist Leonard Dyck, 64. The vehicle McLeod and Schmegelsky had been driving had been abandoned and was engulfed in flames about a mile from where Dyck’s body was recovered.  

Although the teens were initially thought of as “missing,” authorities quickly changed their designation to suspects as the investigation continued, sparking an exhaustive search.

Investigators have recently focused their efforts in Manitoba after another vehicle authorities believe the teens had been driving was found burnt out in a rural area near Gilliam, Assistant Commissioner Jane MacLatchy said in a statement.

On Friday, the RCMP located several items along the shoreline of the Nelson River that authorities have confirmed are “directly linked” to the suspects. They have not provided any details about what those items are or how they determined the connection to the teens.

However, after finding the items—and the damaged aluminum boat nearby—an underwater search of the area was launched by the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team (URT).

The search, conducted Sunday, included an area about 95 feet around the location where the boat was discovered. The search team was unable to uncover any additional items linked to the suspects during that effort, authorities said.

MacLatchy said officials have used some of the most advanced technologies available to try to track McLeod and Schmegelsky. Investigators also canvassed every home and searched every abandoned building in Gillam and Fox Lake Cree Nation.

A Canadian survivalist familiar with the rough terrain in Manitoba told Fox News if the teens have vanished into the wilderness it’s possible they could survive “for weeks.”

“Even if they had next to no gear, they could go a very long time if they have the will to survive,” Dave MacDonald said.