The last text message and movements of Virgin River actor Stewart McLean before his disappearance have been disclosed, weeks after he was found deceased at 41.
McLean’s close friend, Jeff Seymour, detailed these final moments in a recent interview with The Daily Mail, revealing that McLean’s last text to his agent concerned an upcoming work shoot on the evening of May 15.
“From what I understood, he had a very normal day,” Seymour, who is an acting coach, stated to the outlet on Tuesday, May 26. “He drove home for about four hours, leaving around seven, and arrived that night with his car parked in the driveway.”
Seymour added, “The last communication from his phone was that evening, and then everything just went dark.”
Seymour explained he became aware of McLean’s final message after the actor missed his scheduled filming on May 16. At that time, McLean’s agent contacted Seymour, recounting their final text interaction.
“He had confirmed he would be there the next day, Friday, when he was last heard from,” Seymour shared. “When I found out he didn’t show up, I knew we were in serious trouble. In show business, the show must go on, and it’s unheard of for an actor not to show up.”
McLean, who was part of season 7 of Virgin River, was reported missing on May 18, after being last seen at his Lions Bay, British Columbia home on May 15.
The Squamish RCMP initially treated McLean’s case as a missing person, seeking the public’s help in finding him.
The initial search was led by the Lions Bays Search and Rescue, but on Thursday, May 21, police announced that the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team had taken over, deeming the case a possible homicide as the search continued.
On Friday, May 22, McLean’s remains were found in the Lions Bay area, as announced by Canada’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in a press release.
His death was confirmed the same day by Lucas Talent Inc. in a statement shared by talent agent Jodi Caplan via Facebook.
Stewart McLean on ‘Virgin River.’ Netflix
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved client, Stew McLean. I was fortunate to have worked with Stew for more than 10 years,” Caplan wrote. “He was always such a pleasure to deal with — dedicated, professional, eager and endlessly funny!”
The statement continued, “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.”
As the investigation into McLean’s death continues, his friend Seymour is struggling to comprehend the sudden loss.
“I want this person found, and this person put away, because this person has compromised their right to walk around among us,” Seymour told The Daily Mail. “From what I know, there’s nothing that Stew has been doing in his recent life that even would remotely make somebody angry, and I feel I know him pretty well. He’s a good guy, so I think this is more [of] a troubled person who did this, a desperate person.”
Seymour described his late friend as “honest” and “astute,” noting that McLean’s “self-assessment was always so keen,” which he deeply respected.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about McLean’s disappearance or death to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or via email at ihitinfo@rcmp–grc.gc.ca.
