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.

 

[Claroon]

yes, @thor124, here's a photo and a map. Other pedestrians pass by the encampment. And, EW could have taken the Victoria St. route at times.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

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

Thanks for clarifying

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Looking back on the warnings to LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses made by police that led to cancelled events and switching some to online Oct 15-Oct 21 as part of LGBTQ+ History Month

I found that an evangelical church leader had planned “outreach” at Laurier campus Oct 17

They are anti-LGBTQ+ and have their own school in Waterloo (12 minute drive from EW’s apt) and actively recruit members.

Could this have been planned to target people attending the Wellbeing In Education Conference & Expo at king/university?

@Claroon has brought up this conference a few times so finding this planned outreach by an evangelical church leader raised a red flag

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Looking back on the warnings to LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses made by police that led to cancelled events and switching some to online Oct 15-Oct 21 as part of LGBTQ+ History Month

I found that an evangelical church leader had planned “outreach” at Laurier campus Oct 17

View attachment 632085

They are anti-LGBTQ+ and have their own school in Waterloo (12 minute drive from EW’s apt) and actively recruit members.

Could this have been planned to target people attending the Wellbeing In Education Conference & Expo at king/university?

@Claroon has brought up this conference a few times so finding this planned outreach by an evangelical church leader raised a red flag

Some more info about their pastor here

 

[Claroon]

Keeping the conversation going, I'm circling back. I'm using CoPilot to help me think through scenarios. (speculation) (bbm)

Here is a question:

Did the person come with intent of confrontation?

Co Pilot suggests
A person who came to:
• intimidate
• demand deletion
• retrieve something
…may suddenly find themselves in a situation they didn’t intend.
When things escalate unexpectedly, people often:
• grab the device
• destroy something
• lash out
• panic
• lose control
This is reactive, not planned.

What type of person would have both access and a reason to confront Eli?
How did this person get in? What time — night or morning?

When digital devices are destroyed:
It suggests the confrontation was about:
• information
• communication
• something recorded
• something written
• something stored digitally

If the person responsible is reading this, it’s time to come forward and speak with law enforcement. The truth always surfaces eventually.

 

[Claroon]

After several days of sleuthing this low-factual information case, using CoPilot AI to rule things in and out, the following is a Copilot summary:

"In many cases where a late‑night confrontation escalates, the person involved tends to fall into a general behavioural category: someone in the same age range, with some emotional or social connection, acting impulsively or out of fear, and intoxication is a plausible behavioural factor. This can include friends, former friends, classmates, acquaintances, or people in conflict. This is a broad pattern seen in similar cases — not a suggestion about any specific individual."

Alcohol or drugs don’t create motive —
but they amplify whatever emotion was already there.

Who is most likely to be intoxicated in this kind of scenario?
Not:
• pastors
• professors
• parents
• older adults
• authority figures
But:

• young adults in social circles
• peers
• acquaintances
• friends or former friends
• people already emotionally activated

SEE THIS CHART FOR INTEREST

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

After several days of sleuthing this low-factual information case, using CoPilot AI to rule things in and out, the following is a Copilot summary:

"In many cases where a late‑night confrontation escalates, the person involved tends to fall into a general behavioural category: someone in the same age range, with some emotional or social connection, acting impulsively or out of fear, and intoxication is a plausible behavioural factor. This can include friends, former friends, classmates, acquaintances, or people in conflict. This is a broad pattern seen in similar cases — not a suggestion about any specific individual."

Alcohol or drugs don’t create motive —
but they amplify whatever emotion was already there.

Who is most likely to be intoxicated in this kind of scenario?
Not:
• pastors
• professors
• parents
• older adults
• authority figures
But:

• young adults in social circles
• peers
• acquaintances
• friends or former friends
• people already emotionally activated

SEE THIS CHART FOR INTEREST
View attachment 632365

This is interesting that AI came up with that.
does this suggest that such a suspect or suspects spent up to 5 hours in EWs unit?
What about the dog? Must have been a lot of noise, loud voices and dog barking.

To leave the scene, there is gate from backyard leading to Major Park.

 

[Claroon]

This is interesting that AI came up with that.
does this suggest that such a suspect or suspects spent up to 5 hours in EWs unit?
What about the dog? Must have been a lot of noise, loud voices and dog barking.

To leave the scene, there is gate from backyard leading to Major Park.

Spit balling (speculating) here, not saying this is what really happened. Hypothetical.
Imagining it is someone in EW's peer group. Reputation of EW has been 'always tries to help others'.

“Eli is an exceptionally kind and compassionate individual who would never hesitate to help others in this situation.”

Source https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitc...d-missing-reward-information-family-9.7019541

Let's say gets text from troubled and intoxicated peer saying I need/want to see you. Would explain desire for phone damage and how the perp got in.

Putting it together exploring the timeline question (without accusing anyone)

• Bar Last call: 1:45–2:00 a.m.
• Leave pub: 2:00–2:30 a.m.
• Arrive EW’s: 2:15–3:00 a.m.
• Fire: 6:00 a.m.
• Time inside: 2–3 hours
• Dog quieting: normal if visitor was known or situation calmed

• Fire a separate event after perp realizes a problem has ensued.

 

[Claroon]

To leave the scene, there is gate from backyard leading to Major Park.

Yes, there is a backyard fence that is high but also a gate to the Major Park. There is also the driveway of course.

Co-pilot offers me a
A general “escape behaviour map” - This is built on several conversations we've had for days, and news articles it's scanned as well as Google photos and describes a behaviour, not a particular person.

This is hypothetical only, they and I want readers to note this. The truth could be far different. AI is often wrong.

I'm going to read through it all first before posting.

Copilot will include:
• typical exit points
• typical hiding or pausing points
• typical cut‑through routes
• typical distances
• typical decision points
• how fire changes movement
• how darkness changes movement

Should be interesting. Because AI sometimes gets details wrong I will take time to go through their suggestions.

 

[Teche]

He had created his own GoFundMe and mentioned he HAD collected $550 outside of the GoFundMe.
(reporting for interest sake)

What was the purpose of the fundraising account?

 

[Claroon]

I don't think we can post screenshots of Facebook posts, but it is on EW's facebook post that he was short on money and needed a minimum before he moved back home. I can only speculate academic funds, rent...?

** Edit, I got AI to write it up for you
Hey!! Help me finish school??
I am in my final year of my MSW and might not be able to finish due to finances.
Help me finish the fall term, and move home to finish out my degree.
Minimum amount needed: $4,000
$700 needed by Nov. 1st
Ways to support:
Share, e-transfer, GoFundMe
Email: [email protected]

 

[KittyBee]

What was the purpose of the fundraising account?

“to gain support to finish out this fall term (rent), and move home to complete [his] final winter semester virtually”

 

[Claroon]

Adding, Here is the Go Fund Me page Donate to help Elias finish his degree, organized by Eli Wood