In an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press, Jeff Seymour, a seasoned acting coach, candidly shared his profound sense of unease upon learning of the disappearance of his close friend, actor Stewart McLean, who had been found dead just days after his reported absence. "He was a man of meticulous detail; there was no chance he would have missed a day of filming or overslept," Seymour recalled. "As soon as I heard he didn't show up on Saturday morning, I knew something was terribly wrong."
Seymour, who had been friends with McLean for eight years, emphasized that his friend was well-liked and had no enemies. "Everybody loved this guy. He wasn't involved in any nefarious activities or running with a different crowd. In fact, he was a bit of a solitary soul who spent much of his time reading and being at his home in Squamish," he said.
The news of McLean's disappearance came as a shock to his friends and the community at large. On May 18, McLean was reported missing, and the Squamish RCMP launched a missing persons investigation the following day. According to the police press release, McLean, 45, was last seen at his home in Lions Bay on May 15.
The Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued a press release on Thursday announcing that they had found evidence leading them to believe that McLean was the victim of a homicide. "Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through their diligent efforts, uncovered evidence that led them to believe Mr. McLean was the victim of a homicide," the press release stated.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took over the investigation on May 20 and has been working closely with the Squamish RCMP and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the case. On Friday, IHIT shared a statement with CBC News announcing that McLean's remains had been found and identified.
As the investigation continues, homicide investigators are working to collect and analyze evidence, review CCTV footage, and conduct interviews to piece together a timeline of McLean's activities prior to May 15, 2026.
McLean had appeared in several popular series, including Netflix's "Virgin River," "Arrow," "Happy Face," and "Murder in a Small Town." In addition to acting, he had also worked behind the scenes as a producer on projects such as "Travelers" and "Beyond." His career spanned both dramatic and action-oriented roles, earning him recognition within the Canadian entertainment industry.
