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Tim McLean}’s portrait

Tim McLean

  • Male
  • Died Aug 01, 2008
  • Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada
The murder of Tim McLean has shocked many throughout the world. Tim who was traveling by bus to his hometown, was beheaded in front of passengers. Rest in peace Tim.
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Horror on Greyhound

The family of a Canadian man beheaded by a fellow passenger on a bus have spoken of a little guy with a big heart.

Tim McLean, 22, was returning home to Winnipeg from a job as a carnival worker in Edmonton when he was killed by a man who stabbed him 50 times and then cut off his head with a huge knife.

A policeman reported seeing the attacker hacking off pieces of the victim and eating them, according to a tape leaked on the internet.

Newspaper deliveryman Vince Weiguang Li, 40, of Edmonton is charged with second-degree murder.

The victim's uncle, Alex McLean, reading a statement from the family, said: "He was a little guy with a heart bigger than you could know.

"Tim spent his life travelling and meeting new people, and always saw the good in everyone. He had the most infectious giggle.

"You could hear him laughing a mile away. It didn't matter what kind of a day you were having because, when you heard him laugh, you couldn't help but join in."

In the tape of police radio transmissions, a Royal Canadian Mounted police officer referred to the attacker as "Badger" and said he was armed with a knife and a pair of scissors, and "is defiling the body at the front of the bus".

"Okay, Badger's at the back of the bus, hacking off pieces and eating it," he said at the end of the recording.

Police responded to a call to a desolate stretch of the TransCanada Highway about 20km from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, after the bloody killing on the Greyhound bus travelling from Edmonton to Winnipeg.

Friends have started a Facebook group to remember him.

Passengers said that soon after they re-boarded the bus after a break, the suspect - for no apparent reason - stabbed Mr McLean dozens of times as others fled in horror.

He then severed Mr McLean's head, displayed it and began hacking at the body.

Mr Li's boss was shocked to learn his "model employee" was the accused. "He was a very nice, polite guy," said Vincent Augert, who distributes newspapers in Edmonton.

"He was very punctual and always cleanly dressed."

In court in Portage la Prairie, Mr Li did not reply when the judge asked him whether he was going to get a lawyer, and nodded only slightly when asked whether he was exercising his right not to speak.

The prosecutor asked for a psychiatric assessment, but the judge said Mr Li should have a chance to meet his lawyer.

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Memories

Peace for Tim

Tracy Oct 26, 2011

I really can only say I wish them healing and peace.

My daughter who was 14 at the time. Security in Calgary is there, although I really don't think it is as professional or secure as it could be. The sequester area for the passengers is make-shift at most and I do believe that more can be done to get security protocols as the Calgary International Airport has.

The person who did this should be SENT back to his homeland of Dandong, China and let them take the burden of his incarceration, which should be PERMANENTLY. He is a very mentally unwell individual who needs to be cared for with medication and psycho-social counselling for the rest of his life.

Peace to the family of this man.

For Tim's Friends and Family

Bev Mar 17, 2011

I did not know Tim but after reading various articles, it sounds like he was a free spirit with a heart of gold. My heart goes out to his friends and family....and may he rest in peace.

Justice for Tim

Peter Jun 04, 2009

I didn't know Tim until the story of his death was broadcast by the news. Like most Canadians, I'm shocked by the way our Justice system is handling V. Li, and I feel powerless to help. But I do want to be able to say something in support of the family and of the memory of Tim.

To the family of Tim McLean, my heart felt sorrow for your loss.

Peter from Montreal

Heartbreaking

Kara Jan 27, 2009

I haven't heard of this story until now and it is heartbreaking. How can someone do this to another human being? It is truly horrible and I hope that justice is served to the fullest extent of the law! My heart goes out to this young man's family.

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