Missing Edmonton teen Samuel Bird presumed dead; police deem death criminal in nature

The mother of an Indigenous teen in Edmonton who has been missing four months says she’s shattered by the loss of her boy.

“I’ve carried this pain every single day since (Samuel) went missing,” said Alanna Bird, speaking Wednesday at an Edmonton police news conference. “I have prayed, I have hoped, I have leaned on my family, my community and my ancestors for strength.

“No parent should ever have to go through this, and yet too many Indigenous families continue to face this same nightmare.”

Samuel Bird, the Edmonton teenager who has been missing since June 1, is presumed to be dead, and police believe his death to be criminal in nature.

Edmonton Police Service homicide investigators say the 14-year-old was last seen on surveillance video that evening at 8:30 p.m. walking through the grounds of Holy Cross School near 151 Street and 104 Avenue.

He then went to a friend’s house at 150 Street and 106 Avenue, they say, where he was last seen. Police conducted a search warrant at the home on Sept. 18.

Firefighters and police were called to that very duplex this week – in the early hours of Sept. 29 – for a fire.

After months of searching, Edmonton police Det. Jared Buhler said there is reason to believe the teen is dead and that his death is criminal in nature. No suspects are in custody, he said.

“We recognize the profound grief Samuel’s absence has caused to his family and Indigenous communities across Canada,” Buhler told reporters. “Samuel’s case is a powerful reminder of the inequities Indigenous Peoples continue to face.”

Homicide police believe the suspect or suspects involved in Samuel’s disappearance may have disposed of his body within 150 kilometres of Edmonton, and they would have done so “within a short time of his disappearance.”

“We believe Samuel’s body was disposed of on land, and that steps were taken to conceal the body to avoid detection,” said primary investigator Det. Jared Buhler with the EPS Homicide Section. “We are appealing to the public, and in particular, landowners, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who may frequent rural areas to be on the lookout for Samuel’s remains.”

Three police searches have already been conducted using specialized personnel and police dogs. Investigators say they are continuing to work to target a specific area for the teen’s remains.

Additional searches may be conducted “as required,” police say.

Samuel’s disappearance galvanized community members across the Prairies.

While detectives searched, missing posters with his name and photo were plastered on utility poles across Edmonton. Alanna Bird began searching all over the city with the help of locals.

In August, searchers from Manitoba were tapped to scour the shores and waters of the nearby North Saskatchewan River. In September, an ever-burning sacred fire was lit at the command post where searchers camped out.

Buhler called it an unprecedented effort by Samuel’s family and community.

“It has been personally impactful to observe Samuel’s family, guided by culture and faith, never lose hope that they will bring Samuel home,” he said.

Justin Bird, Samuel’s father, fondly remembers the pair watching movies and playing video games. 

“Now his spot is empty,” he said. “There’s a hole in my heart that will never be filled … and until we find him, we will never have closure.”

Alanna Bird said she misses Samuel and she wants people to remember him as more than a headline, calling him a loved son, brother, cousin and friend.

“Samuel always said ‘I love you’ and gave me a hug before he left anywhere, and I miss his humour tons,” she said. “We stand here in the shadow of … the ongoing crisis of our missing and murdered Indigenous children and youth.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

-With files from Kelsey Patterson, CityNews