Detectives with the Edmonton Police Service say missing 14-year-old Samuel Bird is presumed dead, and that his death is believed to be criminal in nature.
Bird was last seen on surveillance video at approximately 8:30 p.m. MT on June 1, walking through the grounds of Holy Cross School in the city’s west, investigators said in a news release.
He was last seen at the home of a friend in the area of 150th Street and 106th Avenue, where police conducted a search warrant in September.
Police said they believe the “suspect or suspects involved” in Bird’s disappearance may have disposed of his body no more than 150 kilometres from Edmonton within a short time of his disappearance.
EPS said it believes Bird’s body was disposed of on land and that steps were taken to conceal the remains.
“We are appealing to the public, and in particular, landowners, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who may frequent rural areas to be on the lookout for Samuel’s remains,” Det. Jared Buhler, with the EPS Homicide Section, said in the news release.
Police have conducted three searches in the area using dogs and “specialized personnel,” and continue to search for a specific location where Bird’s remains may be. EPS did not make these searches public initially for “investigative reasons.”
Anyone with information about Bird’s disappearance is asked to contact EPS or CrimeStoppers.
More to come.
