Stewart “Stew” McLean was best known for appearing in Virgin River before his disappearance and death made headlines in May 2026.
On May 18, 2026, McLean was reported missing to the Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after last being seen at his Lions Bay, British Columbia home three days prior.
Three days after McLean’s disappearance was being investigated as a missing person’s case, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team stepped in to help with the search. The police’s running theory is that McLean could potentially be a murder victim.
On May 22, Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced via a press release that McLean’s remains had been found in the Lions Bay area.
The authorities have yet to reveal if there are any suspects in the case or theories about what may have happened to McLean.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about McLean following his death:
Who Did Stewart McLean Play in ‘Virgin River’?
Virgin River was McLean’s last project before his disappearance. The actor played a barfly on season 7 of the Netflix drama, which premiered in March 2026. According to McLean’s IMDB page, he appeared in one episode.
What Other Acting Roles Has Stewart McLean Had?
McLean made his acting debut in an uncredited role in the student film Snow Falcon. He has appeared in multiple shows including Supernatural, Arrow, Blue Steele, Travelers, Beyond, The 100, Siren, Murder in a Small Town and more. He also starred in the series Cloud Van Tales, which aired from 2019 to 2020.
In addition to appearing in several TV series, McLean was best known for his work on short films. He had roles in 2015’s Buddy Cops, 2016’s Detective Williams, 2017’s Uniforms, 2018’s Return to Sender and more.
Has Stewart McLean Received Any Awards?
McLean was recognized alongside the rest of the cast of the 2017 short film Uniforms. They received a nomination for Best Ensemble at the Houston Comedy Film Festival at the time.
What Happened to Stewart McLean?
The Squamish RCMP began looking into McLean’s disappearance on May 18, 2026. The following day, the police asked for public assistance in locating the actor as the Lions Bays Search and Rescue led the initial search. Two days later, it was revealed that authorities were theorizing McLean could be a homicide victim.
“On May 20, IHIT deployed and assumed conduct of the investigation. Squamish RCMP continues to work closely with IHIT and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) to advance the investigation,” the press release read. “Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was a victim of homicide.”
When was Stewart McLean found dead?
Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced via a press release on May 22 that McLean had been found dead in Lions Bay following his disappearance.
His death was also confirmed by Lucas Talent Inc. talent agent, Jodi Caplan, who shared a tribute via Facebook the same day.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean,” the statement read. “I was fortunate to have worked with Stew for more than 10 years.”
The statement continued: “He was always such a pleasure to deal with — dedicated, professional, eager, and endlessly funny. Many casting directors have reached out to share their condolences with Stew’s family and with our agency, and every message says the same thing: what a truly great guy he was, and how deeply he will be missed. Rest in peace, Stew. xo”
Law enforcement is asking that anyone with information regarding McLean’s disappearance or the investigation call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp–grc.gc.ca.
