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Total cost of B.C., Manitoba manhunt pegged at almost $1.7 million

RCMP search an area near Gillam, Man. in this photo posted to their Twitter page on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. The deputy mayor of a northern Manitoba community at the centre of a massive manhunt says it will be a long time before things return to normal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Twitter, Manitoba RCMP, @rcmpmb *MANDATORY CREDIT*. CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Twitter, Manitoba RCMP, @rcmpmb *MANDATORY CREDIT*

With most numbers now finalized, the total cost of the manhunt for B.C. fugitives Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod sits just shy of $1.7 million.

The Canadian Armed Forces revealed that it spent around $123,000 when it provided air support for the RCMP during the search last July.

In answer to a request from Global News, the military said by email their total covers everything that wasn’t part of normal operations.

Costs associated with the mission include fuel for two aircraft – one of which, a CP-140 Aurora, flew into Manitoba from B.C. – equipment maintenance, and food and accommodations for personnel not already stationed in Manitoba.

The military’s involvement began on July 26 and ended July 31, 2019.

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Numbers released in January point to the RCMP collectively having spent about $1.5 million.

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B.C. RCMP says it spent approximately $750,000 on the search, including the major crime investigation, specialized support services — such as forensic identification, tactical teams, and air services — as well as overtime and logistics.

The Manitoba RCMP was not able to provide a breakdown of its costs, but said the total was under $800,000.

Schmegelsky, 18, and McLeod, 19, were initially considered missing persons in July before they became suspects in the deaths of Leonard Dyck, a University of British Columbia botany instructor, and a young couple, Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese.

RCMP concluded the teens took responsibility for the murders on video without explaining their motive, before taking part in a suicide pact.

Their bodies were discovered in dense brush near the banks of the Nelson River in northern Manitoba on Aug. 7, 2019.

—With files from Kerri Breen

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