Disappearance of Edmonton teen deemed suspicious, police say

Edmonton police are treating the disappearance of 14-year-old Samuel Bird as suspicious in nature. After nearly three months of searches in and around Edmonton, there are still no signs of the missing teen.

Ground searches for the boy are taking place almost every day, but his mom says more help is needed.

“It’s getting really hard on everybody,” said Alanna Bird, Samuel’s mother. “We just want to search the river. That’s mostly what it comes down to. We just don’t have the resources. Obviously, we can go on a boat, but we can’t really see under.”

Alanna said she would pay any price to find her son, but the cost of gas and snacks for volunteers and even a $3,500 helicopter ride to scout areas are adding up fast.

Friday, Treaty 6 Chiefs called on Edmonton police to re-classify Bird’s disappearance from a missing persons case to a search and recovery, to unlock more federal and First Nation funding, along resources for searches outside the city.

Edmonton police say along with calling the case suspicious, they sent a letter of support to the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations, hoping this will help obtain more resources for searches.

The Grand Chief for Treaty 6 has met with police and was told social media has created challenges by generating false tips and narratives in the case.

One Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Councillor offered his support to the family.

“We’ve felt the compassion of the community,” said Councillor Cameron Alexis.

“What we need now is cooperation — across jurisdictions , across systems — so we can carry out this search with the care, urgency, and respect Samuel deserves. We’re grateful to everyone who continues to walk beside us.”

For Samuel’s mom, she wants the public to know investigators are working hard on her son’s case.

“The public, obviously they want answers now, but they don’t see what’s being done,” said Alanna. “There is a lot going on with Sam’s case, and we have a lot of help with Edmonton police.”

Investigators are still relying heavily on tips from the public and are asking anyone with credible information to come forward.

Samuel was last seen on the evening of June 1, leaving the Canora neighbourhood in west Edmonton on foot.

Samuel is described as a 14-year-old male who is 5’8” with a slim build. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

“The Edmonton Police Service is deeply attuned to the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children, and our hearts go out to Samuel’s family,” says Insp. Sean Anderson, with EPS Major Crimes Branch. “The detectives investigating this case have been tirelessly following every lead since Samuel was reported missing in June, and continue to do so. We never stop looking for missing people.”

He is known to frequent West Edmonton Mall and is familiar with both west and south Edmonton.

Anyone with information about Samuel Bird’s disappearance is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.