Two California Runaways Posed as 'Bush Boys' in British Columbia

The bizarre story of how two young men deceived a small Canadian town for months before the truth came out.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In 2003, two young men named Tom and Will Green emerged from the wilderness around the town of Vernon, British Columbia, claiming they had been raised off-the-grid by their parents. The local community rallied to support the so-called 'Bush Boys', but after months of investigation, it was revealed that the pair were actually named Kyle and Roen Horn and had run away from their home in California a year earlier.

Why it matters

The story highlights how a small town can become captivated by a mysterious narrative, even in the face of growing doubts, and the consequences that can arise when the truth is finally uncovered. It also raises questions about the motivations behind the boys' deception and the family dynamics that led them to flee their California home.

The details

When the 23-year-old Tom and 16-year-old Will arrived in Vernon, Will was emaciated and the boys were seeking shelter and food. Local resident Tami Ryder took them in and helped them get settled. The boys refused to appear on camera for interviews, and when an RCMP officer questioned them, Tom was evasive. It wasn't until a CBC film crew got the boys on camera months later that the truth came out - they were actually Kyle and Roen Horn, who had run away from their California home a year earlier.

  • In 2003, Tom and Will Green emerged from the wilderness around Vernon, British Columbia.
  • Over the following months, local media promoted their story as the 'Bush Boys'.
  • After months of negotiation, a CBC film crew got the boys on camera in an interview that revealed their true identities.

The players

Tom and Will Green

The two young men who emerged from the wilderness around Vernon, British Columbia in 2003, claiming to have been raised off-the-grid.

Kyle and Roen Horn

The real identities of Tom and Will Green, revealed to be two young men who had run away from their home in California a year earlier.

Tami Ryder

A Vernon resident who took in Tom and Will Green and helped them get settled after they emerged from the wilderness.

Henry Proce

An RCMP officer assigned to investigate the case of the 'Bush Boys'.

Rodger and Diane Horn

The parents of Kyle and Roen Horn, who were interviewed for the docuseries.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The docuseries explores what happened to Kyle and Roen Horn after the truth about their identities was revealed, including their continued struggles with mental health and unconventional beliefs.

The takeaway

The story of the 'Bush Boys' highlights how a small community can become captivated by a mysterious narrative, even when doubts begin to emerge, and the consequences that can arise when the truth is finally uncovered. It also raises questions about the complex family dynamics and personal struggles that can drive young people to run away and create new identities for themselves.