Edmonton Police Service detectives have declared 14-year-old Samuel Bird missing and presumed dead due to suspected criminal circumstances. Surveillance footage captured Bird at Holy Cross School grounds in the city’s west around 8:30 p.m. MT on June 1, marking the last sighting of him. He was later seen at a friend’s residence near 150th Street and 106th Avenue, where authorities executed a search warrant in September.
Authorities suspect that those responsible for Bird’s disappearance may have disposed of his body within a 150-kilometer radius of Edmonton shortly after he went missing. The police believe that the remains were concealed on land, prompting an appeal to the public, especially landowners, hunters, and nature enthusiasts, to remain vigilant in rural areas to aid in locating Samuel’s remains.
Detective Jared Buhler from the EPS Homicide Section urged anyone with relevant information to come forward. The police have conducted multiple searches in the vicinity with specialized personnel and canine units to pinpoint the exact location where Bird’s body might be. These searches were not publicized initially for investigative purposes.
Individuals with any details concerning Bird’s disappearance are encouraged to reach out to EPS or CrimeStoppers for assistance in the ongoing investigation.