PORT ALBERNI, B.C.—As the mother of one of the suspected killers pleaded for her son to come home, the Canadian Armed Forces prepared to send aircraft to help find the suspects linked to three deaths in northern British Columbia.

“In the criminal investigation of the two fugitives in northern MB, the RCMP have requested aircraft support from the Cdn Armed Forces. Prompt reply — YES,” public safety minister Ralph Goodale tweeted late Friday afternoon.

In a statement issued by his office, Goodale said the recent killings in northern B.C. “have shocked and saddened us all.” He confirmed the RCMP had requested the military’s assistance and thanked the RCMP for working “selflessly” on the case, and the civilians who continue to supply the police with tips.

“I remind all Canadians to remain vigilant with respect to the two suspects,” Goodale’s statement read. “If you see something, do not approach. Call 911 immediately.”

The Department of National Defence said in a statement that following a request from the Commissioner of the RCMP, CAF would provide aircraft support for the search effort. “We are currently working with the RCMP to determine what CAF air capabilities are most needed, and where they are most needed,” the statement read.

The RCMP announced Friday that they will be going door to door in the small Manitoba community of Gillam to seek tips. They said they are also exploring the possibility that Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, may have left the area.

Cpl. Julie Courchaine said the suspects may have changed their appearances, and that someone could have helped them leave town without recognizing them. “It is possible that someone may not have been aware of who they were providing assistance to, and may now be hesitant to come forward. I want to reiterate the importance of contacting police immediately,” she said.

The latest police appeal came the same day that Schmegelsky’s family provided a handwritten note to Star Vancouver, which was signed “Bryer’s mother.”

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“Bryer is a caring, loving boy that would never hurt anyone. He grew up in a loving home and we miss, and love him dearly,” reads the note. “We want both boys to come home safe.”

The family told reporters the note is meant for Bryer and that his mother hopes her son will see it.

Schmegelsky and McLeod have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of University of British Columbia professor Leonard Dyck, who police say was found dead near Dease Lake, B.C., on July 19. They are also suspects in the deaths of tourist couple Chynna Deese and Lucas Fowler.

Schmegelsky’s father, Al, who lives near Victoria, previously told The Canadian Press that he believed his son “wants his pain to end,” and expected his son would die in the next several days.

The Mounties said Friday they have received more than 120 tips from the public. RCMP have been concentrating their search efforts in the Gillam area since Monday, when they found the burned-out Toyota RAV4 the two had been driving.

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The search for Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky continues.

Gillam’s deputy mayor John McDonald said everyone in town has theories about what happened as concern and speculation abound.

“There isn’t anybody you talk to that doesn’t have any idea on why they came here and where they are,” McDonald said. “Everybody’s throwing ideas on the table until we can figure this out, which we never will until they find them — if they find them.”

Police have been searching the wilderness around the town, which residents have described as a harsh, wet, insect-ridden environment that would be challenging to hide out in.

McDonald said the weather over the last few days has further complicated the environment. Temperatures surpassed 30 C on Wednesday, dropped to a low of 16 C on Thursday with rain overnight, and remained cool on Friday with strong winds.

Manitoba RCMP also stressed Friday the importance of not creating and sharing online rumours, saying the spread of false information in communities across the province has “created fear and panic.”

A photo circulated overnight on social media purporting to show McLeod holding a copy of a newspaper with his face on the front page, prompting RCMP to investigate the photo and later post on Twitter that it was not McLeod.

“With regards to rumours, we want people to be aware of where you are getting your information. Don’t spread things that aren’t verified. Let us be the trusted source,” Courchaine said.

On Friday morning, Facebook accounts that appeared to belong to McLeod and Schmegelsky, which were previously online, had been taken down.

“That definitely wasn’t us,” said Chris Manseau, a spokesperson for the BC RCMP. “We don’t have the power to go in there to change or swipe those accounts.”

Manseau said police would rather aim to preserve the accounts, as they may be needed for an investigation. He urged anyone who has seen something that might be connected to the pair over the past few days to “please report it.”

“We’ll take any tip, no matter how small. You never know what information you might have that may not be that important to you, but it could be the final piece that we need,” he said.

With files from Jesse Winter and Cherise Seucharan

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