The mystery surrounding actor Stewart McLean’s death has taken another heartbreaking turn. A fresh detail emerged about the final message he sent before disappearing. The “Virgin River” actor reportedly ended his last known conversation with a simple promise to return to work the next day.
And that’s a commitment friends say he never would have broken willingly. For those who knew him best, that text has become one more painful reminder that something was terribly wrong.
Acting coach Jeff Seymour sheds light on Stewart McLean’s last days before his death
McLean’s final day appeared completely ordinary. According to acting coach and close friend Jeff Seymour, the actor spent May 15 working on an independent film in Merritt, British Columbia. After wrapping up his day on set, McLean reportedly began the four-hour drive back to his home in Lions Bay.
“He had a very normal day,” Seymour told the Daily Mail.
By that evening, McLean had arrived home safely. His vehicle was later found parked in the driveway, and nothing initially appeared out of place. Seymour said the actor’s last known communication came from his phone that night.
In the message, McLean reportedly confirmed he would return to the film set the following day. That never happened.
When Seymour later learned from McLean’s agent that the actor had failed to appear for work, he immediately sensed something was wrong. “Show business, you know? The show must go on,” Seymour explained. “It is unheard of for an actor not to show up.”
McLean was last seen at his Lions Bay residence on May 15 and was reported missing three days later. On May 22, authorities confirmed the 45-year-old had been found dead.
Investigators with the Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police later announced that evidence uncovered during the missing-person investigation led them to believe McLean was the victim of homicide, as per Page Six.
The news shocked friends and colleagues who described the actor as thoughtful, observant, and deeply aware of his surroundings. “It just doesn’t make any sense,” Seymour previously told the Canadian Press.
In a recent social media tribute, Seymour reflected on one of their final outings together. He recalled driving through Los Angeles with McLean, who happily sang along to classic hits from the 1960s and 1970s while taking in the scenery.
McLean appeared in several television productions throughout his career, including roles in “Virgin River,” “Murder in a Small Town,” and “Arrow.”
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh for Mandatory
