Mayor of B.C. town of murder suspects urges patience and understanding

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – The mayor of a Vancouver Island town that was home for two murder suspects is urging patience as police complete their investigation into the deaths of five people.

Medical examiners in Manitoba are working to confirm the bodies of Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky were found in the province's northern wilderness, ending a Canada-wide manhunt for the two who were suspected in three killings in B.C.

Mayor Sharie Minions of Port Alberni, B.C. says in a statement she's relieved the search appears to be over but recognizes it's difficult news for the families of the two suspects.

She says her thoughts are also with the families of the three people killed on northern B.C. highways.

Minions says people want answers to what led to the tragic series of events, but that they must be patient and understand it takes time for police to investigate.

She says the deaths have been difficult for everyone involved, including residents of Port Alberni, and speculation is not helpful.

The families of McLeod and Schmegelsky have said the two were off to Yukon to look for work and police at first believed they were missing, but days later named them as suspects.