CANADA Samuel Bird, 14, Edmonton AB, last seen in West Edmonton - June 1, 2025

[otto]

I have read the criticism of police. Police are criticized for not searching for a missing youth who struggled with mental health, and was reported by family to be with friends. Police are criticized for not searching the river for Samuel, even though the only reason family was searching that area is due to information obtained during an Indigenous ceremony. Police are criticized for not issuing an Amber Alert even though the Alberta Government website says:

"The Alberta government website states that AMBER alerts can only be issued if all four of these conditions have been met:

1. A child or an adult with a proven mental or physical disability has been abducted.
2. The child or adult is in danger of serious harm or death.
3. There is enough descriptive information to enable the public to identify the: child or adult; abductor; mode of transportation
4. There is a reasonable expectation the abductee could be returned, or the abductor could be apprehended."

link

 

[stonedgnome]

Mods please delete if this isn’t allowed.

 

[stonedgnome]

EPS went live. Watch here.
Police search in relation to Samuel Bird investigation in Carrot Creek area.

 

[guttertroll]

Carrot Creek is about 160km west of Edmonton.

Edmonton police to give update on search for Samuel Bird’s body

The search for a presumed dead Indigenous boy has moved to a rural area west of Edmonton.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[otto]

Detailed update ...

"For months, a massive group of friends, family and dozens of volunteers have been searching for the missing boy. EPS homicide Det. Jared Buhler, who is leading the case, said he’s never seen anything like it. “The search effort that was undertaken by Sam’s family is unprecedented. It’s been massive.

Buhler said police, unfortunately, can’t undertake a search of that scale without more specifics — and for now, enough information has come in that allows police to search near Carrot Creek. Buhler said every homicide investigation is unique and it can take time for all the facts to fall into place.
...

“We believe Samuel will located on land and tend to believe this will be in a wooded area offering concealment to the offender or offenders.
...

Buhler added offender behaviour research has found suspects hiding a body will often look for a secluded place that is still accessible in darkness, typically within 50 to 100 feet of a road or trail where the remains can be covered by debris. There are few exits from the highway in that area, Buhler said, and police don’t believe the offenders went far off the road before ditching the teen’s body.
...

“There’s been a narrative that we’ve done nothing. That’s far from the truth,” Buhler said.
...

“We’re looking for potentially very small items — unfortunately, it may be bones at this point, given the time that’s passed. It’s been four months through the summer. Unfortunately, that’s just the science of it.” There’s no guarantee police will find Bird’s remains, Buhler cautioned, but said his team has not lost hope. “We’re committed to working together to bring this home — whether it’s today, tomorrow, this week or next spring

There are suspects in the case, Buhler said on Thursday, but no arrests have been made."

Edmonton police say ‘compelling’ tip narrowed Samuel Bird search to Carrot Creek area | Globalnews.ca

'It's like doing a puzzle. Sometimes you don't know the piece you're looking for until other pieces fall into place around it ... and that's what's unfolded this week.'

globalnews.ca

 

[Slebby]

Oh, how I hope he is found, soon! I feel mildly optimistic, as their investigation seems to be zeroing in on the location of his remains, little by little.
After his family is given the chance to give him a dignified resting place, I hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.
IMO, those responsible are not exactly criminal masterminds. I believe justice will be done.
IMO

 

[otto]

Oh, how I hope he is found, soon! I feel mildly optimistic, as their investigation seems to be zeroing in on the location of his remains, little by little.
After his family is given the chance to give him a dignified resting place, I hope the perpetrators are brought to justice.
IMO, those responsible are not exactly criminal masterminds. I believe justice will be done.
IMO

I'm curious why there has been no arrest. They know that Samuel visited friends and then he was not seen again. Those friends must have murdered him. Is there a group of friends where police cannot determine which of the friends was responsible, or which friends were at the house at the time of the murder? Are the friends in hiding, protected by other friends who believe that police will persecute rather than prosecute? Is there a code of silence where friends do not report friends to authorities?

Lying in a field from June 1 until today means significant decomposition. Hopefully his clothing will be found, which will lead to his bones.

 

[Slebby]

I'm curious why there has been no arrest. They know that Samuel visited friends and then he was not seen again. Those friends must have murdered him. Is there a group of friends where police cannot determine which of the friends was responsible, or which friends were at the house at the time of the murder? Are the friends in hiding, protected by other friends who believe that police will persecute rather than prosecute? Is there a code of silence where friends do not report friends to authorities?

Lying in a field from June 1 until today means significant decomposition. Hopefully his clothing will be found, which will lead to his bones.

I think the answer to your questions may be “all of the above” or “some of the above”

It’s much easier to prosecute murder with a body. If there is an arrest before the body is found, the clock starts ticking and they may find themselves heading into trial at a disadvantage. No one wants that.

From what I’ve seen of this detective Buehler, I am pretty confident in the work he is doing. Easy for me to say, I’m not the grieving mom and dad and kukum and friends and family, I’m sure it must be so difficult for them.
Let’s hope for news soon.

 

[otto]

I think the answer to your questions may be “all of the above” or “some of the above”

It’s much easier to prosecute murder with a body. If there is an arrest before the body is found, the clock starts ticking and they may find themselves heading into trial at a disadvantage. No one wants that.

From what I’ve seen of this detective Buehler, I am pretty confident in the work he is doing. Easy for me to say, I’m not the grieving mom and dad and kukum and friends and family, I’m sure it must be so difficult for them.
Let’s hope for news soon.

I think there's more of a prosecution "ticking clock" in the US than in Canada.

In the USA, the prosecution cannot appeal a verdict. In Canada, the prosecution can appeal a verdict if there is a serious procedural error, or significant new evidence. That means that prosecution is not delayed because there is no body. If there is evidence of murder, charges should be laid against the primary suspects.

I'm thinking that police are speaking with suspects, but they don't yet have a clear picture of who was involved. I guess we have to be patient.