Missing 'Virgin River' Actor Stewart McLean Found Dead Amid Homicide Investigation
Stewart McLean, a Canadian actor known for his recurring appearances on Netflix's Virgin River, has been found dead at 45. Canadian authorities are treating his death as a homicide, and no arrests have been made.
McLean was originally reported missing on May 18 after he had not been seen since May 15. Authorities said he was last seen at his residence in Lions Bay, a community northwest of Vancouver. Within days, evidence uncovered during that investigation led police to escalate the matter. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, known as IHIT, deployed on May 20 and formally assumed control.
IHIT confirmed Friday that investigators had located and identified his remains in the Lions Bay area. The cause of death has not been officially determined. No suspect has been announced.
The Investigation
"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.
IHIT is asking anyone with information about McLean's activities or circumstances before May 15 to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Tips can be provided anonymously.
His Career
McLean was a working actor whose credits spanned more than a decade of Canadian and American television. He appeared in a Season 7 episode of Netflix's Virgin River, a second season 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 agency Lucas Talent, a Vancouver-based talent firm, shared a tribute in his honor. "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean," the post read. "He was always such a pleasure to deal with — dedicated, professional, eager, and endlessly funny!"
Agent Jodi Caplan added that many casting directors had reached out to share condolences, all of them saying "what a truly great guy he was, and how deeply he will be missed."
The investigation is ongoing. No timeline for its conclusion has been provided by Canadian authorities.
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