Missing Virgin River actor Stewart McLean now feared to have been murdered

Stewart McLean, an actor who recently appeared on Netflix’s Virgin River, is now believed to have been the victim of homicide after authorities investigating his disappearance discovered his remains in British Columbia.

The 45-year-old actor, also known as Stew McLean, had been missing for a week after he was last seen on Friday May 15, 2026 at his residence in Lions Bay, a coastal community located northwest of Vancouver.

Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed they received a missing persons report on May 18 after concerns were raised about Stewart’s whereabouts.

Following an investigation into his disappearance, authorities said evidence uncovered during the case led investigators to believe Stewart had been murdered. Police have not yet released additional details surrounding the circumstances of his death.

On Friday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed that Stewart’s remains had been located and identified in the Lions Bay area.

“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,” Cpl. Esther Tupper of IHIT said in a statement.

© Courtesy of Netflix

“We are pursuing all available leads as we work to find answers for the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. McLean.”

Stewart had built a respected career within the Canadian film and television industry over the years, appearing in a number of popular productions filmed in British Columbia.

Most recently, he appeared in a 2026 episode of Virgin River, where he played a barfly on the hit Netflix drama. He also appeared in the Canadian series Murder in a Small Town, the Paramount+ drama Happy Face and the CW superhero series Arrow. In addition to acting, Stewart also worked as a producer.

© Corbis via Getty Images

Following news of his death, tributes began pouring in from colleagues and members of the entertainment industry.

Jodi Caplan, his agent at Lucas Talent, said the agency was devastated by the loss.

“We have been proud to represent Stew for over a decade, and he was a well respected and admired member of the film and television community in Vancouver,” the statement read. “He will always be remembered for his kindness and humour.”