A North Carolina woman and her Australian boyfriend who were shot dead on the side of the road while travelling Canada could have been victims of a suspected serial killer.
The bodies of 24-year-old Chynna Deese, of Charlotte, and her partner Lucas Fowler were discovered on the side of the Alaska Highway in British Columbia on Monday.
The Canadian police have launched an investigation into the suspected murders.
Local authorities suspect the young couple, who were travelling the world, could have been attacked by a serial killer, The Daily Telegraph reported.
In a post shared to Facebook on Thursday, Deese’s sister, Kennedy, said the family are ‘heartbroken’
‘It is with overwhelming sadness that I share my sister Chynna and her beloved boyfriend Lucas were recently found deceased, homicide victims along a remote stretch of highway in Canada while on a road trip,’ she wrote.
‘They were bright and beautiful souls. We are all still in shock and heartbroken.’
The bodies of Chynna Deese and Lucas Fowler were discovered on the side of the Alaska Highway in British Columbia on Monday
The couple are understood to have been shot and Canadian police have launched an investigation into the suspected murders
Mr Fowler, from Sydney’s Hills District, has been identified as the son of NSW Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler.
In a heartbreaking statement on Friday evening, the Fowler family confirmed they lost Lucas in ‘the most terrible circumstances’.
‘To lose someone so young and vibrant, who was travelling the world and just enjoying life to the full, is devastating,’ the Fowler family said.
‘To know his beautiful girlfriend also lost her life in this violent event is too cruel.’
Mr Fowler’s family are now travelling to Canada to ‘bring him home’.
Northern Rockies officers were called to the highway, about 20 kilometres south of Liard Hot Springs, at 7.19am on Monday.
Police are asking anyone who travelled the stretch of highway between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning before 8am to make contact.
A blue minivan with Alberta number plates was found at the scene and police would like to speak with drivers who saw the vehicle or who may have dashcam footage.
It is not yet clear why the couple were attacked.
Lucas Fowler and girlfriend Chynna Deese of Charlotte, North Carolina, were travelling when they were killed
A woman wrote on Facebook that she saw the young couple with their broken down van on Sunday.
‘We seen the blue van broke down on our journey home on Sunday and we stopped and asked if they needed help,’ she wrote on Facebook.
‘I can’t believe that this young couple are dead now.
‘This makes my heart so sad.’
She added her husband has been in contact with Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In a statement, a NSW Police said they are providing support to the father of the victim.
‘The NSW Police Force has been alerted to the death of a man and a woman in Canada,’ the statement said.
In a heartbreaking statement on Friday evening, the Fowler family confirmed they lost Lucas in ‘the most terrible circumstances’
‘The man is the son of a serving senior officer and as such we are providing support to him and his family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.’
The NSW Police Force have sent two detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad to liaise and provide appropriate support to family members.
‘The investigation into this incident is being led by the Canadian authorities and as such, they will be the appropriate source information as it comes to hand.’
Ms Deese’s sister Kennedy said the family are ‘heartbroken’.
‘It is with overwhelming sadness that I share my sister Chynna and her beloved boyfriend Lucas were recently found deceased, homicide victims along a remote stretch of highway in Canada while on a road trip,’ she wrote on Facebook.
‘No further information is available at this time, please do not ask.
‘They were bright and beautiful souls. We are all still in shock and heartbroken.’
The update has been flooded with comments of support, following the tragic circumstances.
Ms Deese’s sister Kennedy said the family are ‘heartbroken’ in a Facebook update
Chynna Deese (second from the left) is pictured with her family
Ms Deese’s former fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha at Appalachian State University said they were honoured to call her a ‘sister’.
‘It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of our sister, Chynna Deese, who recently passed,’ they wrote on Facebook.
‘She was such a kind and adventurous soul and we have been honored to call her our sister.
‘Our hearts are with Chynna’s family during this difficult time, and we are so thankful to everyone for the support and kindness we have already received.’
Ms Deese recently completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business, according to her couchsurfing page.
The 24-year-old wrote her ‘current mission’ is ‘traveling the world and looking to meet new people and experience new places from a local’s point of view’.
Ms Deese, who was learning Spanish and studied winemaking in France, described herself as ‘easy going’ and ‘open minded with a positive attitude’.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the man’s family.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter, to the family of an Australian man who died in Canada,’ a spokesperson said in a statement.
‘Due to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment.’
Northern Rockies officers were called to the highway, about 20 kilometres south of Liard Hot Springs, at 7.19am on Monday