Homicide detectives from Australia have been sent to Canada to help Mounties investigate the double homicide of an Australian man and his American girlfriend who were reportedly shot to death near Liard Hot Springs this week.
Lucas Robertson Fowler of Australia and Chynna Noelle Deese of North Carolina were found dead along the side of the Alaska Highway 20 kilometres south of the popular tourist destination on Monday, July 15, which is located near the B.C.-Yukon border.
Lucas Fowler and Chynna Deese, who were reportedly found shot to death near Liard Hot Springs on the Alaska Highway. Photo via Kennedy Deese/Facebook
RCMP say an older blue minivan with Alberta plates was found at the scene, and are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen the vehicle or tried to help the victims.
Police are looking to speak with anyone who travelled the stretch of highway between Sunday, July 14 at 4 p.m. and Monday, July 15 at 8 a.m. Police want to speak with anybody who has dashcam video of their travels through the area.
Fowler was the son of NSW Police Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Family are travelling with police to Canada to help with the investigation and bring Fowler’s body back to Australia, the Herald reported. Consular services are being provided to the family.
"The investigation into this incident is being led by the Canadian authorities and as such, they will be the appropriate source for information as it comes to hand," police said in a statement to the Herald.
"Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."
Deese is from North Carolina, according to a statement from Fowler's family.
"To lose someone so young and vibrant, who was travelling the world and just enjoying life to the full, is devastating," the statement said.
"To know his beautiful girlfriend, Chynna Deese of Charlotte, North Carolina also lost her life in this violent event is too cruel. All our love and best wishes go to Chynna’s family and friends."
Deese's sister, Kennedy, wrote on Facebook: "It is with overwhelming sadness that I share my sister Chynna and her beloved boyfriend Lucas were recently found deceased, homicide victims along a remote stretch of highway in Canada while on a road trip...They were bright and beautiful souls. We are all still in shock and heartbroken."
The North District Major Crimes Unit and Northern Rockies RCMP are investigating. Details about the deaths are limited at this time. Officials couldn't immediately say whether public safety is a concern.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northern Rockies RCMP at 250-774-2700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
