Calgary police say the body of a boy believed to be 11-year-old Parker was found in a culvert on July 29 after a 13-day search that began when he went missing from a day home on July 16. A tip on July 28 led investigators to the area; more than 600 tips and about 100,000 CCTV clips were reviewed during the inquiry. Recovery and forensic work are ongoing, and police said they do not suspect foul play. Officials and provincial leaders have offered condolences to Parker's family.
Body Believed To Be 11-Year-Old Parker Found in Culvert After 13-Day Search
Officers Search for 11-Year-Old Canadian Boy, Parker, Who Has Been Missing for 7 DaysCredit: Calgary Police Service
Calgary police announced Wednesday that they have located the body of a boy they believe to be 11-year-old Parker, who went missing from a day home in the Cambrian Heights neighbourhood on July 16.
Officers said the remains were discovered inside a culvert on July 29 after a 13-day search. Police cautioned that while they believe the child is likely Parker, recovery teams must complete significant work to access the body and formally confirm his identity.
Officers find body believed to be 11-year-old missing boy, ParkerCredit: Calgary Police Service
Investigation Efforts
Investigators reviewed more than 600 tips and examined roughly 100,000 individual CCTV clips from over 650 cameras in the area as part of the inquiry. Authorities say a tip received on July 28 led officers to the scene, where members of the public located evidence consistent with the clothing Parker was last known to be wearing. The Calgary Fire Department assisted with search and recovery operations.
Possible Movement Through Culvert System
Police believe Parker may have entered a culvert in a green space west of Deerfoot Trail and travelled up a pipe into a network of tunnels on the east side of the roadway. Officers emphasized the difficult conditions of the search area.
Parker, who was 11, was last seen leaving his day home facility in Calgary, Alberta, CanadaCredit: Calgary Police Service
"This green space area contains incredibly harsh terrain and is part of a water environment. As with any search involving water, environmental conditions can influence what can be observed and when evidence may become visible," the Calgary Police Service said in a media release.
Authorities extended their condolences to Parker's family. "This is not the outcome anyone hoped for. Like so many others, we hoped Parker would be brought home safely," the police statement read. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also publicly offered their sympathies.
As of publication, Calgary Police said they do not suspect foul play. Forensic, recovery, and investigative work remain ongoing as officers work to confirm identity and determine the circumstances of the boy's death.
Note: Out of respect for the family, police have released limited details while recovery and identification efforts continue.
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