CANADA Canada- Eli Wood, 25, student@ Sir Wilfred Laurier Univ., missing after fire (poss. arson)@ home, Kitchener, Ont.,19 Oct., 2025, *Foul play suspected*

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Another random thought and speculation about a possible scenario.

Context: Eli’s May 17 Facebook post (shared by a friend, originally set to “friends only”) described an incident where he felt unsafe. In that post, he said he pulled out his phone and dog spray, making a show of it, and he caught part of a license plate: “–ern–” plus four digits.

My question is: Did this method of dealing with scary situations backfire on him? And if not in this particular May incident (a friend said it was investigated), could it have happened another time if this was his regular self‑protection habit?

IMO, yes — it could. If someone thought Eli was filming them, they might have feared exposure. Not because Eli did anything wrong, but because the other person may have misread his actions, believed he had filmed them, had something to hide, worried about being reported, or became paranoid, and then acted to erase what they believed was evidence.

This kind of scenario points to a brief interaction that the other person misinterpreted as threatening. And that means evidence could be very difficult to find because this type of situation doesn’t track as a known relationship, doesn’t involve a long‑term connection, isn’t someone in his circle, and may not leave a digital footprint.

It could be a stranger who misinterpreted a moment or a person with mental illness who read the situation wrongly.

In this scenario, someone believed Eli filmed them or knew something--even if he didn’t--and acted out of fear or paranoia. This fits the device destruction, the fire, and the disappearance. And it doesn’t require any academic, romantic or counselling connection.

This could bring leads if there are any sources to support

Convos with family or friends about any other strange encounters EW may have filmed or photographed.

If the phone was linked to the cloud then LE can retrieve photos and videos taken as part of the evidence.

 

[Claroon]

Thanks, @Mayjusticeprevail. This is where his circle of contacts is important.
People often forget small incidents until something jogs their memory, especially if the person didn’t think it mattered at the time.

• When last did EW mention feeling watched, followed, or uncomfortable on other days?
• Did he talk about recording people or pretending to?
• Did he ever describe someone who reacted oddly, stared at him?
• Did he ever mention someone who seemed paranoid, agitated, or “off” in a way that stuck with him?
Where, when, details?

Yes, if his phone was backed up to iCloud or Google Photos, law enforcement can retrieve images and videos he took, even if the device was damaged.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

with foul play suspected (and id have to agree because i dont think anyone would kill their dog!), the arson draws attention to the scene and allows people to realize Eli was missing relatively early, so I'd have to think that the scene contained physical evidence (indicating violence against Eli, or DNA evidence from the perpetrator) that the perp wanted to destroy and considered worth the increased attention it would bring. Perhaps a friend, a neighbor or roommate (was this a single occupancy unit or shared?), or a sexual partner.

On this line of thinking, a suspect could also include a person who EW may have been in communication with online to get tips on how to stay safe following May 17 incident.

They too would want digital evidence destroyed

***all speculation***

 

[thor124]

I see so the motel next door to Mayfield


Let’s hope given the history of incidents at Victoria Motel, LE looked into that already.

I Mapped out the 3 main locations home, school, work to see how likely it would be that EW would pass through that park with encampment and it looks like a 12-14 minute walk out of the way

EW home (25 Major St) approx 18 minute walk to school or work. Work and School were close to each other.

View attachment 631869

School: 120 Duke St W (Wilfrid Laurier's Faculty of Social Work, part of the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty) putting students close to community social service agencies.

Work: 41 Weber St W - Safe Haven (Starling Community Services shelter for 12-18 yr olds)

View attachment 631866

If this the large encampment or did I get the wrong link?

The encampment is at 100 Victoria St North, not at Victoria park. It's not a park, it's a vacant lot.