‘Virgin River’ Actor Presumed Victim in Homicide Investigation

VANCOUVER, BC — Stewart McLean, a well-known Canadian actor featuring in Netflix’s “Virgin River” and various other TV shows, is now suspected to have met a tragic end. Following his disappearance earlier this week, authorities now believe he was the victim of a homicide.

Initially reported missing on May 18, McLean had not been seen since May 15, with his last known location being his home in Lions Bay, a small community situated northwest of Vancouver. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed that they are now investigating his death as a homicide.

On Thursday, investigators revealed that evidence gathered during the search for McLean suggested foul play, leading to the case’s escalation. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has since taken the lead in this ongoing investigation.

While officials have not disclosed specific details about the evidence indicating a homicide, they stated that they are collaborating closely with the Integrated Forensic Identification Service to uncover the truth.

“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,” IHIT spokesperson Cpl. Esther Tupper said in a statement to media outlets. “We are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. McLean.”

McLean’s credits include one episode of Netflix’s “Virgin River,” an episode of the Fox crime drama “Murder in a Small Town,” the Paramount+ true crime series “Happy Face” and the Lifetime TV movie “The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story.” His earlier credits include appearances in The CW’s “Arrow,” the Netflix series “Travelers” and the Freeform series “Beyond.”

McLean was often credited as Stew McLean and was also listed on IMDb as a producer in addition to his acting work.