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

[LadyL]

*** All speculation ***


A suspect profile of person who would target EW for their disability and having a service dog:

Has a deep-seated rage toward the concept of disability accommodations, perceiving them as an unfair advantage.

This person likely views tools like service animals, financial support, or academic adjustments as "special treatment" that undermines their own sense of merit or struggle.

For such a person, the service dog is a potent symbol of EW’s accommodations that they resent.

Killing the dog serves multiple purposes:
Eliminates a protective companion
Inflicts maximum emotional and psychological harm.
Act of punishment to send a terrifying message to his inner circle.

was E's dog killed before the fire or by the fire/
does anyone know the dog's name?

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

was E's dog killed before the fire or by the fire/
does anyone know the dog's name?

EW’s dog’s name was Princess. It’s not publicly disclosed whether she was killed before the fire was set or by the fire.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

is this information in MSM?

The information about the incidences of being followed by a group of men and the vehicle were include in this MSM article

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

[bbm]

is this information from MSM?

This article

 

[Valiant]

There could also be a situation where he left voluntarily to meet someone, something happened somewhere else, and that person felt a need to go Eli’s place to find something and destroy evidence.
I’d think investigators have some digital clues they haven’t disclosed about events.

 

[RNtomedexamine]

I understand the logic of looking for the simplest explanation however without knowing the details that led LE to determins this was a targeted crime, all we can do is review articles, news reports and do some sleuthing and speculating.

On November 4, 2025, Constable Chris Iden confirmed that investigators have "enough grounds" to determine that foul play is involved in EW’s disappearance. EW is not suspected of setting the fire to his apartment.

Why not just leave him there? Good question!
Some reasons to consider
1. All the focus on October 19 at 6 am was on putting out the fire.
2. The fire delayed the missing person investigation.
3. EW’s phone and laptop were destroyed delaying access photos, text messages, e-mails and other online communications until cleared with Google, University, work, Social media platforms, etc.
4. Fire covered up evidence of a struggle and forensic traces

bbm
Ah, I did miss that sentence, thanks!
As for the targeted part, I was thinking that well, yeah - If it was Eli who set the fire, that would definitely be a targeted crime MOO
And the technology being burned could just be collateral damage or intended by Eli to slow down the investigation of his own whereabouts.
But, I understand that although the police always have like 99% more information than we know, we have to go by what they say (and they say they don’t believe he set the fire)
MOO

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

There could also be a situation where he left voluntarily to meet someone, something happened somewhere else, and that person felt a need to go Eli’s place to find something and destroy evidence.
I’d think investigators have some digital clues they haven’t disclosed about events.

IMO EW leaving voluntarily is highly unlikely based on how this crime has been classified by LE.

The fact that they have "enough grounds" to suspect foul play without EW’s body being found, suggests that there is digital or forensic evidence that shows that a struggle took place or an interrupted life (sudden departure without taking phone, wallet, keys, shoes, jacket, dog, unlocked door, or signs of forced entry).

 

[LadyL]

The information about the incidences of being followed by a group of men and the vehicle were include in this MSM article

This article

neither link works but it's ok, I'll search more

(I saw the info about a group of men in a headline of the Waterloo Record but the actual article is paywalled for me)

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

neither link works but it's ok, I'll search more

(I saw the info about a group of men in a headline of the Waterloo Record but the actual article is paywalled for me)

Alternate link

 

[BOBON]

I've read a few comments here that people would never kill their own dog, but I'd like to argue that this can and does happen. Ultimately you cannot say what happens in a person's brain and it could be the result of a mental health episode.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

I've read a few comments here that people would never kill their own dog, but I'd like to argue that this can and does happen. Ultimately you cannot say what happens in a person's brain and it could be the result of a mental health episode.

<modsnip> Since Nov 4, the local Major Crime Unit has been investigating this as a targeted case of arson and EW’s disappearance as foul play which suggests abduction, assault, and possibly homicide.

In any of those scenarios, the suspect or suspects who targeted EW are responsible for the death of EW’s dog.

<modsnip>

 

[dotr]

Re post Dec 4 '25

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/eli-wood-ground-search-kitchener-sunday-missing-person-fire-9.7001352

"Imagine not knowing if your child is cold, scared, or trying to find their way back home. That is the reality Eli's family is facing right now," Wood Amero wrote on Nov. 29.''

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Posting to keep this thread active as community members continue searching, and raise awareness, and Waterloo Regional Police Major Crimes Unit continue their investigation.

MISSING: ELI WOOD

Last Seen: October 19, 2025
Location: 25 Major Street, Kitchener, Ontario

Eli Wood has been missing following a targeted arson incident at his residence. Police are investigating his disappearance as involving foul play. His family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Age: 25 years old
Height: 4'10"
Weight: 85–95 lbs (Small build)
Eyes: Green
Hair: Brown with white patches
Features: Partially white eyebrows
Tattoos: Left forearm: Flower and seahorse
Right upper arm: Rainbow

ABOUT ELI
Eli is a final-year Master of Social Work student at Wilfrid Laurier University.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Waterloo Regional Police: 519-570-9777 ext. 8191
Crime Stoppers (Anonymous): 1-800-222-8477
Case #WA25252479

 

[Claroon]

It is hard to get this case off our minds.

I want to share this should the person/people involved be reading:

If the person responsible is still out there, it’s possible they’re experiencing a kind of emotional unraveling. (Friends and family, be alert.)

If you're the perpetrator, that kind of reaction is human. You'll be swinging between fear, guilt, and attempt to justify yourself to yourself. You want to wash everything away. But you can't. You never will without accountability. But, you are not beyond help or forgiveness.

If you acted during a mental breakdown, that doesn’t remove responsibility, but it does mean you need medical help in addition to legal accountability. People in acute psychological crisis often deteriorate afterward, and many eventually seek help because they can’t stabilize on their own. The justice system has established processes for this: evaluation, treatment, and due‑process protections. There is help, but it happens inside the legal framework, not outside it.

But what if you were drunk or high? You may not even recall what you did. You may see flashes. You may have a sense something went terribly wrong and not be able to process it all. Or you may know what you did. If this is your mindset, it doesn’t change the facts: accountability is overdue. Confession becomes the only way to stop the internal pressure. If that’s the case here, the most responsible thing to do for the victim, the family, the community, and even for yourself, is to come forward and tell the truth. Tell the story of what happened.

The next steps are straightforward and the same in every case. Anyone who wants to come clean needs to speak with a lawyer and turn themselves in through the proper channels. That’s how the system ensures due process, accurate information, and fair treatment. Coming forward doesn’t erase the crime, but it does allow the truth to be established in a lawful way. The justice system is built to handle these situations with structure, oversight, and accountability not chaos. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the most responsible thing to do is follow the legal process and let the truth come out.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

It is hard to get this case off our minds.

I want to share this should the person/people involved be reading:

If the person responsible is still out there, it’s possible they’re experiencing a kind of emotional unraveling. (Friends and family, be alert.)

If you're the perpetrator, that kind of reaction is human. You'll be swinging between fear, guilt, and attempt to justify yourself to yourself. You want to wash everything away. But you can't. You never will without accountability. But, you are not beyond help or forgiveness.

If you acted during a mental breakdown, that doesn’t remove responsibility, but it does mean you need medical help in addition to legal accountability. People in acute psychological crisis often deteriorate afterward, and many eventually seek help because they can’t stabilize on their own. The justice system has established processes for this: evaluation, treatment, and due‑process protections. There is help, but it happens inside the legal framework, not outside it.

But what if you were drunk or high? You may not even recall what you did. You may see flashes. You may have a sense something went terribly wrong and not be able to process it all. Or you may know what you did. If this is your mindset, it doesn’t change the facts: accountability is overdue. Confession becomes the only way to stop the internal pressure. If that’s the case here, the most responsible thing to do for the victim, the family, the community, and even for yourself, is to come forward and tell the truth. Tell the story of what happened.

The next steps are straightforward and the same in every case. Anyone who wants to come clean needs to speak with a lawyer and turn themselves in through the proper channels. That’s how the system ensures due process, accurate information, and fair treatment. Coming forward doesn’t erase the crime, but it does allow the truth to be established in a lawful way. The justice system is built to handle these situations with structure, oversight, and accountability not chaos. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the most responsible thing to do is follow the legal process and let the truth come out.

Thanks for posting this @Claroon . I hope your message reaches the person(s) responsible.

If anyone is reading who was coerced into or forced to commit any part of this crime by the individual(s) who targeted Eli, you can submit information through the 100% secure, anonymous tip online:
p3tips.com

 

[Claroon]

If you’re involved in the EW case and reading this and you’re ready to turn yourself in, here are the steps you can take right now in Kitchener, Ontario or surrounding area. (You don’t have to go to the police station where the offence happened. If you’re ready to turn yourself in, you can go to the nearest police station where you live.)

1. Try calling a criminal defence lawyer immediately. Even on weekends, many firms have voicemail or emergency lines where you can leave a message so they can call you back first thing.
2. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can still get help. When you go to police or call them on the non-emergency line, you can ask to speak with duty counsel. They are available 24/7 and can give you immediate legal advice at no cost.
3. Do not discuss the situation with anyone else. Wait for legal guidance before answering questions or explaining anything.
4. Or, go to a police station in person. Front desks in Waterloo Region are staffed on weekends. Tell them you want to turn yourself in and that you want to speak with duty counsel or your lawyer before answering questions.
Taking action now is safer than waiting.

 

[Claroon]

If you’re involved in the EW case and reading this and you’re ready to turn yourself in, here are the steps you can take right now in Kitchener, Ontario or surrounding area. (You don’t have to go to the police station where the offence happened. If you’re ready to turn yourself in, you can go to the nearest police station where you live.)

1. Try calling a criminal defence lawyer immediately. Even on weekends, many firms have voicemail or emergency lines where you can leave a message so they can call you back first thing.
2. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can still get help. When you go to police or call them on the non-emergency line, you can ask to speak with duty counsel. They are available 24/7 and can give you immediate legal advice at no cost.
3. Do not discuss the situation with anyone else. Wait for legal guidance before answering questions or explaining anything.
4. Or, go to a police station in person. Front desks in Waterloo Region are staffed on weekends. Tell them you want to turn yourself in and that you want to speak with duty counsel or your lawyer before answering questions.
Taking action now is safer than waiting.

Many Kitchener‑Waterloo firms, offer free initial consultations and accept Legal Aid certificates.
They may:
• Give immediate advice without upfront cost
• Help you understand your options before committing
• Provide flexible payment plans if finances are tight

A criminal defence lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights, and guide you through the process. Turning yourself in through a lawyer is the safest and most responsible way to handle things. It’s about doing the right thing and preventing further harm.

You don’t need to tell family or friends before turning yourself in. Some people do, some don’t. It doesn’t affect the process. If you want support, you can bring someone to wait nearby, but they won’t be part of the police procedure.

It’s possible to be taken into custody when you turn yourself in. If you have pets or responsibilities at home, it’s smart to arrange for someone you trust to check on things in case you can’t return right away. If you’re afraid you’ll be locked up permanently, that’s not how the system works. Turning yourself in may mean being held at first, but the next step is usually a bail hearing, not permanent detention. In Canada, the system generally presumes release unless there’s a strong reason otherwise. A lawyer or duty counsel will guide you through what happens next.

 

[Claroon]

Monday, January 5, 2025

Eli has been missing for 78 days, which is:
• 11 weeks + 1 day, or
• about 2.5 months

To the person who knows where Eli is this is an appeal! I am asking you plainly to give his family a direction.

What was done, was done. Help Eli's family find some peace.
You don’t have to reveal yourself. You don’t have to justify anything. But please — offer a location, a clue, even the smallest anonymous hint that could end their torment of not knowing anything!

Consider contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously; use the local police tip line; leave a note at a church, community centre, bus shelter, mail box, or drop it into a library book return slot. Draw a map with a location circled to search. Tell a pastor, priest, counsellor, social worker, or chaplain. Put it on a prayer card in a hospital chapel.

Christmas has come and gone.
Eli’s family sat in silence, unable to celebrate, because their child was not home.
Is El safe?
If Eli needs help, tell someone.
If Eli has been moved, hidden, left somewhere, or placed in someone else’s care, tell someone.

Give the community a place to search. A direction. A single hint of where to look.

You can stay anonymous. You can protect yourself.
But please help his family, the student population, the KW community, step out of relentless uncertainty.

Let compassion speak louder than fear. If you know something, let this be the one thing you set right. Absolve yourself of this one burden and give a clue that leads to Eli.

 

[Claroon]

January 8, 2026, I noticed someone on Facebook mentioning doing their own search near the Grand River in Kitchener. This is just a word of caution.

With the warm spell Kitchener is having, the Grand River and all connected waterways are in dangerous condition right now. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has repeatedly warned that ice is thin, unstable, and unpredictable, and that banks are extremely slippery due to thaw and runoff. Even when the surface looks solid, the ice is not safe for walking, searching, or any kind of activity. Slipping into the water and being unable to get out is a real concern.

If a person were in the river, the water is cold enough that they would remain below the surface and not be visible. For your own safety, please do not attempt any riverbank searches right now. Conditions can change hour by hour, and even trained teams avoid the river during thaw cycles.

(Official GRCA Water Safety Statements are removed once conditions change, so I’m not linking to a specific advisory. Here is the general GRCA flow‑rate page for reference.)

This link is for

Central Grand flow rates ​

What can be done

Even though the river is unsafe, there are still meaningful ways to help:
• Keep the case visible by sharing updates, photos, and reminders.
• Walk public streets and sidewalks in the Major Street area - just avoid stepping onto private property, including industrial lots.
• If you come across something unusual, don’t disturb it. Consider whether it’s truly related, and if so, report it to WRPS.
• Check public places like parks and trails where footing is safe and far from water.
• Encourage anyone with information to use anonymous channels like Crime Stoppers or the WRPS tip line.
• Support the family by keeping awareness high and the conversation active.

The thaw will pass and conditions will stabilize again - but right now, the river is not a safe place for community searching, IMO.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

January 8, 2026, I noticed someone on Facebook mentioning doing their own search near the Grand River in Kitchener. This is just a word of caution.

With the warm spell Kitchener is having, the Grand River and all connected waterways are in dangerous condition right now. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has repeatedly warned that ice is thin, unstable, and unpredictable, and that banks are extremely slippery due to thaw and runoff. Even when the surface looks solid, the ice is not safe for walking, searching, or any kind of activity. Slipping into the water and being unable to get out is a real concern.

If a person were in the river, the water is cold enough that they would remain below the surface and not be visible. For your own safety, please do not attempt any riverbank searches right now. Conditions can change hour by hour, and even trained teams avoid the river during thaw cycles.

(Official GRCA Water Safety Statements are removed once conditions change, so I’m not linking to a specific advisory. Here is the general GRCA flow‑rate page for reference.)

This link is for

Central Grand flow rates​

What can be done

Even though the river is unsafe, there are still meaningful ways to help:
• Keep the case visible by sharing updates, photos, and reminders.
• Walk public streets and sidewalks in the Major Street area - just avoid stepping onto private property, including industrial lots.
• If you come across something unusual, don’t disturb it. Consider whether it’s truly related, and if so, report it to WRPS.
• Check public places like parks and trails where footing is safe and far from water.
• Encourage anyone with information to use anonymous channels like Crime Stoppers or the WRPS tip line.
• Support the family by keeping awareness high and the conversation active.

The thaw will pass and conditions will stabilize again - but right now, the river is not a safe place for community searching, IMO.

Understandably it's not safe for community searches but how is it that in Quebec where the winter conditions are far more extreme, their search and rescue team spent 10 days in February 2025 searching through frigid conditions, snow, ice and dangerous terrain with drones, people in wet suits etc, going through forests, trails, body of water near Mount Tremblant for another missing person?

It's horrifying that 81 days have gone by with no answers and no safe return of EW.

I feel for EW and his family every day. No real progress, his family putting up a reward, it shows a failure in the legal system IMHO.

Crimestoppers has an office in Kitchener and they are not actively postering, fundraising for ads, or doing outreach.
Waterloo Airport is right there - more than enough pilots in the area (there's even a flight school there) who could have flown over the neighbourhood and along the trails of the grand river to film for evidence before the first snow fall.

Something doesn't add up.

This case raises many concerns that the city of Kitchener-Waterloo does not care that a student from Nova Scotia who believed and trusted it would be a good place to finish their Masters of Social Work degree was targeted for such a violent crime - his apartment burned, his dog killed in the fire and he has "vanished".

No one's come forward from the organizations EW did his placements, No profs, No colleagues. Even the local 2SLGBTQ1A+ organization waited until Dec 4 to say anything.

It makes the work of a small group of people who care in that community all that more important.

For perspective, a few years ago an intoxicated student from the UK went missing and the community effort was exceptional to locate him within 24 hours.

For EW... not so much