Suspicion - Introducing The Most Wanted Olympian, Suspicion Season 5: How did Ryan Wedding become an alleged narco kingpin?

Episode Date: October 8, 2026

Ryan Wedding was once a promising young athlete, a snowboarder who reached the Olympics. Now captured after a decade on the run, he's accused of running a deadly international drug trafficking empire. How did a small town Canadian boy allegedly become an alleged narco kingpin?  In The Most Wanted Olympian, a new podcast from CBC and the Toronto Star, host Michelle Shephard and journalist Calvi Leon trace Wedding's descent into a violent criminal underworld. From his beginnings at his family ski hill outside Thunder Bay, to Toronto and the shocking murders he's accused of ordering, to Mexico where he was believed to be protected by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, they uncover his illicit connections and the stories behind the victims caught in the crossfire. Featuring on-the-ground reporting and original interviews, this podcast investigates the Canadian who the FBI called a "modern day El Chapo" and asks: what will it take to bring him to justice? This podcast is a co-production of Suspicion from the Toronto Star and Uncover from CBC.    The Most Wanted Olympian is an official 2026 Tribeca Festival Winner. 

Here's one of the future stars of the Canadian racing team, Ryan Wedding. In 2002, Ryan Wedding was an Olympic snowboarder at the top of his game. He looked like Superman, over six feet tall, fully jacked, all the best equipment. Now with a great run here, he could be on the podium. He had one chance at glory. Ryan's style is really gunned and go. And in less than a minute, It slipped away.

His Olympic dream was over, but he continued to chase the high. Ryan James Wedding, currently on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list. He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world. How does a small town Canadian athlete, an elite snowboarder with a promising future, Become one of the world's most wanted fugitives,

who authorities say will do anything to stay on top. Five separate shootings, three people dead. Police now saying they believe they're all connected. As I'm going to hand it over to him, poking out is just stacks and stacks of cash. We put an alert out. Key witness in Ryan Wedding case no longer going to testify a trial because he was assassinated in Columbia. WTF, what the hell?

Did we just learn? For over a decade, Ryan Wedding's fate was unknown as he allegedly built his drug empire. With law enforcement on one side, Ryan Wedding tormented several people and several families that will never be the same. Regardless of what my son was, he did not deserve to die. He is a victim. And the cartel on the other. Narcos.

The goal is not to be so flashy. The minute that you become that big, sooner or later they're going to come after you. You can only stay hidden for so long. Breaking news on the long-running manhunt for Canadian fugitive Ryan Wedding. I'm Michelle Shepard and from CBC Podcasts and the Toronto Star, The Most Wanted Olympian. Coming soon, wherever you get your podcasts. Make no mistakes. Cartel is here and trust me, they are watching.