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

[Claroon]

More interesting tidbits. I was curious about how dark the area around 25 Major St. would have been on the night of Oct 18/19, so I looked up the environmental conditions for that date. The combination of moon phase and cloud cover gives a pretty clear picture:

HOW DARK WAS IT at 25 Major St., Kitchener October 18/19?

Moon Phase — October 18–19, 2025 (Kitchener)
Waning Crescent — extremely thin, only 5–8% illumination
• Oct 18: ~7.7% illumination
• Oct 19: ~3.2% illumination
• Moonrise:
• Oct 18 → 4:43 am
• Oct 19 → 5:47 am
• Moonset:
• Oct 18 → 5:19 pm
• Oct 19 → 5:36 pm

What this means
During the entire night of Oct 18–19, the moon was below the horizon until early morning.
Even when it rose, it was a tiny crescent with almost no usable light.
→ The night was effectively moonless.

Cloud Cover — October 18–19, 2025 (Kitchener)
From the WeatherSpark cloud‑cover history:

October 18, 2025
• Evening cloud cover: ~60–80% (mostly cloudy to overcast)
• Overnight cloud cover: ~70–90%
October 19, 2025
• Early morning cloud cover: ~80–90% (overcast)

What this means
Even if the moon had been bright, the cloud cover would have blocked it.
→ The night was extremely dark:
moonless + heavy cloud + unlit park + industrial zone shadows. Major Park doesn't appear to have lighting.

Taken together, these conditions suggest that the area around Major Park would have been extremely dark throughout the night, with very limited natural or artificial light. No snow on the ground, very little leaf fall.

Though we have posts asking "did you see anything?" It seems it may have been very difficult to see much in the darkness.

Just to clarify,
my links for the above were included in the formatting. If you missed the links, they are here:

Moon phases: Moonrise, Moonset, and Moon Phase in Kitchener, October 2026

Cloud cover: (scroll down for data) Kitchener October 2025 Historical Weather Data (Ontario, Canada) - Weather Spark

I think it’s reasonable to interpret the conditions based on the data. Looking at the data, it seems fair to say it would’ve been very dark. Given the cloud cover and the small crescent moon, it would have been very dark that night (is all I'm saying.)

Major Park doesn’t seem to have lighting, so visibility would have been really limited.

 

[Claroon]

I was curious to know when, if at all, any evidence would have become snow covered. I looked up several environmental conditions in Kitchener on those dates.

Back to October 18-19, 2025 and beyond weather:

October 2025 had essentially no measurable snow in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Historical monthly snowfall data for Kitchener-Waterloo shows 0.0 cm of snow recorded for October 2025.

The first notable snow event of the 2025–26 season came November 9–10, 2025. Accumulation throughout the day built steadily, with ~6 cm by mid-morning and around 13–14 cm by late evening.

Temperatures stayed mild through mid- to late October, not cold enough for significant snow or persistent ground frost.

When leaves actually fell in Kitchener (Fall 2025)

On Oct 18–19 (the disappearance + fire):
• Leaves were falling, but not yet deep.
• The ground would have been visible in most areas.
• Searchers would have had clear visibility.

Nothing in Major Park would have been hidden by leaves during the critical early window (Oct 18–25).
The ground was still too clear.


Mid‑October (Oct 10–20)
This includes the weekend of Oct 18–19.
• Leaf fall increases significantly.

The sun set in Kitchener on October 18, 2025 at 18:32 (6:32 pm) and rose on October 19, 2025 at 07:42 (7:42 am). Link here.

As for the leaf‑fall timing, I was looking at a few everyday sources, including the City of Kitchener’s leaf‑collection schedule:
Leaf collection | City of Kitchener

and this fall‑collection update:
Explore your leaf collection options in Kitchener this fall

This snipped section is in this link: Leaf collection | City of Kitchener

These dates usually line up with the typical fall pattern in this area and gardeners in the KW region concur (private sources). Most of the heavier leaf drop happens later in October.

WeatherSpark is just a site that shows historical weather, so I used it to check the cloud cover for that night.

Since leaf‑drop here tends to peak later in the month, (which is why the region didn't pick up until November), the ground around the 18th would still have been fairly visible (and there was no snowfall yet).
Kitchener October 2025 Historical Weather Data (Ontario, Canada) - Weather Spark

(the point of this post was to determine search condition in my mind)

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Just to clarify,
my links for the above were included in the formatting. If you missed the links, they are here:

Moon phases: Moonrise, Moonset, and Moon Phase in Kitchener, October 2026

Cloud cover: (scroll down for data) Kitchener October 2025 Historical Weather Data (Ontario, Canada) - Weather Spark

I think it’s reasonable to interpret the conditions based on the data. Looking at the data, it seems fair to say it would’ve been very dark. Given the cloud cover and the small crescent moon, it would have been very dark that night (is all I'm saying.)

Major Park doesn’t seem to have lighting, so visibility would have been really limited.

very useful info re: dark sky and lack of lighting

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

As for the leaf‑fall timing, I was looking at a few everyday sources, including the City of Kitchener’s leaf‑collection schedule:
Leaf collection | City of Kitchener

and this fall‑collection update:
Explore your leaf collection options in Kitchener this fall

This snipped section is in this link: Leaf collection | City of Kitchener View attachment 637896

These dates usually line up with the typical fall pattern in this area and gardeners in the KW region concur (private sources). Most of the heavier leaf drop happens later in October.

WeatherSpark is just a site that shows historical weather, so I used it to check the cloud cover for that night.

Since leaf‑drop here tends to peak later in the month, (which is why the region didn't pick up until November), the ground around the 18th would still have been fairly visible (and there was no snowfall yet).
Kitchener October 2025 Historical Weather Data (Ontario, Canada) - Weather Spark

(the point of this post was to determine search condition in my mind)

Yes no big piles of leaves present in initial news footage about the fire.

Front of home from news footage clip

 

[Claroon]

Yes no big piles of leaves present in initial news footage about the fire.

Front of home from news footage clip

View attachment 637917

Yes! Good way to show the leaves and no snow. I understand with the trees still full, it blocks views of some homeowners too, like a neighbour looking out their window.

 

[Claroon]

On another point, I don't know if anyone here shared that Canadian Thanksgiving was Mon, Oct 13, 2025? Do we want to discuss that? Family holidays can be emotionally triggering to some people.

 

[Claroon]

very useful info re: dark sky and lack of lighting

Something I didn't think of until now is regarding doorbell cameras. I've never used one but how are they at night especially a very dark night? I'm wondering how obscured any capture might be?

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

On another point, I don't know if anyone here shared that Canadian Thanksgiving was Mon, Oct 13, 2025? Do we want to discuss that? Family holidays can be emotionally triggering to some people.

I missed that hoiliday completely. It may have been a busy time on the street.

Hopefully LE have looked into this to find out from neighbours if there had been any unusual incidences on the street over Thanksgiving weekend and the days leading up to October 19th.

For example: (all speculation)

An unknown vehicle that was only parked on the street during that week then gone on the 19th.

Night time gatherings in the park the house backs onto.

Unknown person(s) walking into the backyard of 25 Major St and looking into windows etc.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Something I didn't think of until now is regarding doorbell cameras. I've never used one but how are they at night especially a very dark night? I'm wondering how obscured any capture might be?

Most of the ring cameras use infra red to capture Black and White footage at night.

More details on the cameras here

 

[Claroon]

DATES of Note:
The 6th is the date of EW's GofundMe post on FB.
The 13th is Canadian Thanksgiving. But the entire weekend could be considered since some celebrate on Sat or Sunday.
The week of Oct. 13-17 2025 was Laurier reading week. No in person classes.
The 18th was the last night of Octoberfest
The 18th was the last known whereabouts of EW.
The 19th is the day the fire call came (06:00) well before sunrise (07:42).

It would be helpful, IMO, that anyone who spoke/texted/messaged with EW during this timeframe contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777, extension 8191. This would include peers, classmates, clients, neighbours.

Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

In the news today - a friend of EW’s urges the public to keep sharing the missing person posters.

 

[dotr]

January 19, 2026

Friend of Eli Wood searching for answers 3 months after disappearance

Three months after a fire tore through Eli Wood’s apartment in Kitchener, Ont., his friends and family are still searching for answers.

www.ctvnews.ca

'Three months after a fire tore through Eli Wood’s apartment in Kitchener, Ont., his friends and family are still searching for answers.

Wood was last seen on Oct. 18, 2025. In the early morning hours of Oct. 19, flames engulfed his home. Police haven’t said what caused the fire, but suspect arson and foul play could be involved in Wood’s disappearance.'

“Eli is probably one of the most kindest people I have ever met in my life,” she said. “This whole situation completely shocks me because nobody deserves this, but Eli deserves this so much less.”

Jan 19, 2026 #ctvnews #ctvnationalnews #canadiannews
Friends and family still hold out hope someone will find a missing Kitchener resident. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains how online sleuths have gotten involved.

 

[Claroon]

The above article is better than nothing, I suppose. Nothing new being reported.

I just read of this Rebecca White case where a mental health client killed her, his former counsellor. These things happen. This particular person ended his own life after. I did check a few obituaries after Oct 19 just out of curiosity regarding EW, to see if something seemed aligned. That's a stretch. (Didn't spend too much time on that.)

Anyhow, thought I'd share this article due to the client/counsellor connection.

Orange County mental health counselor, 44, killed in stabbing by former client, deputies say
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/w...ounty-another-critically-injured-deputies-say

 

[Claroon]

There was some discussion on doorbell cameras, but if the perp parked behind the house on Breithaupt St., there would not be many doorbells across from the park.

(Source: Street View · Google Maps)

​

 

[Claroon]

There was some discussion on doorbell cameras, but if the perp parked behind the house on Breithaupt St., there would not be many doorbells across from the park.

(Source: Street View · Google Maps)

​

View attachment 638685

Personal observations and speculations.

1. The same goes for St. Leger Street regarding no residential doorbell cams.

2. If it was planned, walking from St. Leger St. to 25 Major would have been easy and covered in the darkness.

3. A third (speculation) theory is after a night out, the perp who might live in the area, might have been dropped off and walked from their drop off point to EW's apartment.

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

There was some discussion on doorbell cameras, but if the perp parked behind the house on Breithaupt St., there would not be many doorbells across from the park.

(Source: Street View · Google Maps)

​

View attachment 638685

Hopefully the park and businesses have security cameras

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

For a better idea of what technology is used by Waterloo Regional Police Services in Major Crime Investigations, I have compiled the following details.

This gives some perspective on how a lot of evidence can be documented very efficiently using technology. Based on available information from Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), they use advanced forensic technology, including CCTV cameras with ALPR (licence plate scanners), 3D scanners and drones (RPV) with advanced sensors to document crime scenes, major collision scenes, and assist with investigations.
Key details regarding WRPS and technology:

• 3D Scene Documentation: WRPS forensic identification officers utilize technology to survey major crime scenes and fatal crashes, allowing them to capture detailed data faster than traditional methods, which helps in analyzing evidence for court.
• Drone (RPV) Usage: The WRPS Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) is used to assist with investigations, including searching for people and photographing scenes.
• Forensic Identification Unit: The service operates a dedicated Forensic Identification Unit that uses specialized, high-tech tools to process evidence.

While WRPS previously used controversial facial recognition technology (Clearview AI) in 2019-2020 for identifying suspects and victims, the Chief of Police ordered a stop to its use until proper policies were developed. They have since adopted other technologies, such as BriefCam (2022) for video analysis.


WRPS Technology Links:
>>> Link 1 , Link 2

 

[Claroon]

For a better idea of what technology is used by Waterloo Regional Police Services in Major Crime Investigations, I have compiled the following details.

This gives some perspective on how a lot of evidence can be documented very efficiently using technology. Based on available information from Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), they use advanced forensic technology, including CCTV cameras with ALPR (licence plate scanners), 3D scanners and drones (RPV) with advanced sensors to document crime scenes, major collision scenes, and assist with investigations.
Key details regarding WRPS and technology:

• 3D Scene Documentation: WRPS forensic identification officers utilize technology to survey major crime scenes and fatal crashes, allowing them to capture detailed data faster than traditional methods, which helps in analyzing evidence for court.
• Drone (RPV) Usage: The WRPS Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) is used to assist with investigations, including searching for people and photographing scenes.
• Forensic Identification Unit: The service operates a dedicated Forensic Identification Unit that uses specialized, high-tech tools to process evidence.

While WRPS previously used controversial facial recognition technology (Clearview AI) in 2019-2020 for identifying suspects and victims, the Chief of Police ordered a stop to its use until proper policies were developed. They have since adopted other technologies, such as BriefCam (2022) for video analysis.


WRPS Technology Links:
>>> Link 1 , Link 2

This is great to know, thanks!

 

[Mayjusticeprevail]

Some key points to understanding the timeline for a major crime investigation involving the disappearance of a person and arson.

1. The High Threshold for "Reasonable Grounds"

In Canada, police cannot make an arrest simply because they have persons of interest. To lay charges in such a major crime, the WRPS Major Crimes Unit must meet a specific legal standard:

• Reasonable and Probable Grounds: They must have enough objective evidence to convince a judge that a specific person committed the crime.
• Likelihood of Conviction: Because these cases are high-stakes, WRPS works closely with Crown Attorneys. If the evidence is purely circumstantial (like "the suspect was in the area"), a Crown may advise against an arrest until physical or digital evidence (like DNA or a GPS "ping") directly links the suspect to the act of arson or abduction.

2. Digital Forensic Delays

While movies show data being recovered in minutes, the reality is much slower:

• Imaging & Analysis: Creating a forensic copy of a burnt phone or laptop can take weeks.
• Backlog: WRPS’s digital forensic lab handles hundreds of devices. A deep-dive analysis of several months of social media, GPS, and call logs often takes 3 to 6 months to complete fully.
• Production Orders: To get data from companies like Google, Apple, or Rogers, police must wait for legal compliance periods, which typically range from 30 to 90 days.

3. Forensic Science & Lab Timelines

Arson investigations require the Ontario Fire Marshal to process the scene.

• Lab Testing: Contents and debris samples sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Toronto, Ontario to identify specific accelerants can take months to return official results.
• DNA: If biological evidence was found at the Major Street scene, DNA profiling typically takes 60 to 120 days for a priority criminal case.

4. Case Status: Why No Arrest Yet?

WRPS has confirmed the investigation is "active and ongoing" but has not named a suspect. The lack of an immediate arrest usually indicates:

• Unidentified Suspect: They may not yet have a confirmed identity for a suspect and are relying on public tips and CCTV.
• Strategic Silence: Police may have a "Person(s) of Interest" but wait to make an arrest when they have tracked that person's movements long enough to find where a victim might be held.
• Integrity of Evidence: Making an arrest too early can compromise an investigation if a search warrant is later found to be invalid or if the suspect is alerted and destroys further evidence.

 

[Claroon]

Some key points to understanding the timeline for a major crime investigation involving the disappearance of a person and arson.

1. The High Threshold for "Reasonable Grounds"

In Canada, police cannot make an arrest simply because they have persons of interest. To lay charges in such a major crime, the WRPS Major Crimes Unit must meet a specific legal standard:

• Reasonable and Probable Grounds: They must have enough objective evidence to convince a judge that a specific person committed the crime.
• Likelihood of Conviction: Because these cases are high-stakes, WRPS works closely with Crown Attorneys. If the evidence is purely circumstantial (like "the suspect was in the area"), a Crown may advise against an arrest until physical or digital evidence (like DNA or a GPS "ping") directly links the suspect to the act of arson or abduction.

2. Digital Forensic Delays

While movies show data being recovered in minutes, the reality is much slower:

• Imaging & Analysis: Creating a forensic copy of a burnt phone or laptop can take weeks.
• Backlog: WRPS’s digital forensic lab handles hundreds of devices. A deep-dive analysis of several months of social media, GPS, and call logs often takes 3 to 6 months to complete fully.
• Production Orders: To get data from companies like Google, Apple, or Rogers, police must wait for legal compliance periods, which typically range from 30 to 90 days.

3. Forensic Science & Lab Timelines

Arson investigations require the Ontario Fire Marshal to process the scene.

• Lab Testing: Contents and debris samples sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Toronto, Ontario to identify specific accelerants can take months to return official results.
• DNA: If biological evidence was found at the Major Street scene, DNA profiling typically takes 60 to 120 days for a priority criminal case.

4. Case Status: Why No Arrest Yet?

WRPS has confirmed the investigation is "active and ongoing" but has not named a suspect. The lack of an immediate arrest usually indicates:

• Unidentified Suspect: They may not yet have a confirmed identity for a suspect and are relying on public tips and CCTV.
• Strategic Silence: Police may have a "Person(s) of Interest" but wait to make an arrest when they have tracked that person's movements long enough to find where a victim might be held.
• Integrity of Evidence: Making an arrest too early can compromise an investigation if a search warrant is later found to be invalid or if the suspect is alerted and destroys further evidence.

All good points. The realities of investigation. And add in there these agencies going on Christmas breaks...

It all amounts to such a long wait. Since it is so snow covered in Kitchener right now, no searches can go on. So we await a sighting of EW, Forensic updates, discovery of his body, or identification of a Person of Interest. It is a long wait for his family and the community, as well as us intrigued with justice issues.

But the POI, if he or she is reading, could confess. Could tell us all what happened that weekend.