🚨 Missing Teen in Edmonton, Alberta — Samuel Bird, 14, Last Seen June 1, 2025
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) continues to investigate the disappearance of Samuel Bird, a 14-year-old teen last seen on June 1, 2025. His case has been deemed suspicious, and community members and Indigenous leaders are demanding more urgency in the search.
📌 Last Seen and Description
Samuel was last seen leaving the Canora neighbourhood in west Edmonton on foot on the evening of June 1. He is described as 5’8” tall, with a slim build, brown hair, and brown eyes. Police say he is known to frequent West Edmonton Mall and is familiar with both west and south Edmonton. His family believes he may have had a black eye and stitches on his cheek and nose at the time of his disappearance.
📌 Police Investigation
The EPS issued a news release on July 11, 2025, appealing for public information. Investigators have confirmed the case is suspicious. Insp. Sean Anderson of the EPS Major Crimes Branch said detectives “have been tirelessly following every lead since Samuel was reported missing, and continue to do so. We never stop looking for missing people.”
Police also confirmed they are investigating disturbing videos and images circulating online that appear to show Samuel being beaten. EPS says investigators are working to determine the source and authenticity of the content, and whether it is directly connected to the case.
📌 Family’s Frustration and Search Efforts
Samuel’s mother, Alanna Bird, said she knew something was wrong immediately when Samuel didn’t respond to her calls or messages. “Sam always messaged me. He always told me where he was,” she said. “I felt something was wrong right away.”
The family organized search teams across Edmonton, including the river valley near Victoria Park and Rossdale Park, with the support of Indigenous leaders, community members, and volunteers. Vigils and ceremonies have been held, with speakers calling for urgent action.
“My kids are taking it really hard. Especially his younger sister. Sometimes I’m okay and sometimes I’m not. I try to be strong for my kids but I break down a lot,” Alanna said.
📌 Concerns About Police Response
Family, Indigenous leaders, and politicians have expressed frustration with the EPS’s response. Alanna said she reported Samuel missing two days after he failed to return, but police suggested he was “likely with friends.”
“We should have had some action right away,” said Coun. Cameron Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. “We should be searching the river, we should be searching the riverbank, and all of this should be coordinated.”
Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations asked: “Was there an AMBER alert? If not, why wasn’t there?” MLA Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse echoed the criticism: “Nobody should wait 40 days to have an AMBER alert or a search party for their 14-year-old son.”
📌 Community and Cultural Support
Samuel’s grandmother, Geri Potts, said the family turned to “ancestral knowledge” and ceremonies to guide their searches. “We were directed to start looking in the water,” she said during one search. “Today is a mixed blessing. It’s raining, cleansing the ground and preparing us for this search.”
The Evelyn Memorial Search Team, based in Manitoba, also joined the search, bringing advanced sonar equipment capable of scanning large sections of the North Saskatchewan River in minutes.
📌 Life Before His Disappearance
Samuel, from the Paul Band First Nation, had been a student at Alex Janvier School in Edmonton before stepping away from his studies two months before the end of the school year. His mother said he was struggling with mental health challenges and had fallen in with friends she did not trust. “He just wanted to fit in with the crowd, and he paid for it,” Alanna said.
She added that Samuel was once known as a “skater boy,” funny, polite, and popular with friends. He had also agreed to enter WrapED, a youth support and intervention program, shortly before his disappearance.
📞 How to Help
Anyone with information about Samuel Bird’s disappearance is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
Sources: Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Journal, CTV News, Raven Radio, APTN News
👉 What You Can Do
Please share Samuel’s story widely. Community awareness and public support are essential in the search for missing youth and in supporting their families.
🌐 Visit CanadaMissing.ca for more information on missing person cases across Canada.
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