‘Incredibly difficult day’: Search for missing Calgary boy ends after body found in stormwater pipe

The nearly two-week search for an 11-year-old Calgary boy has come to a tragic end after police discovered a child’s body in a stormwater tunnel system in the city’s northeast.

Calgary Police Service Chief Katie McLellan announced the discovery of the body in a green space near Deerfoot Trail during a Wednesday afternoon update.

“Today is an incredibly difficult day,” McLellan said. “For nearly two weeks so many people woke up hoping it would be the day Parker came home. Instead, we are here sharing news that is heartbreaking for his family and everyone carrying that hope.”

Parker, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been missing since July 16 after walking away from his daycare home in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood.

Police said investigators received information from a member of the public on Tuesday regarding clothing consistent with what Parker was last seen wearing. The tip prompted officers to shift their focus to a green space between the Beaver Dam Business Park and Deerfoot Trail, south of 64 Avenue NE and north of McKnight Boulevard.

According to police, Parker is believed to have entered a network of underground pipes on the westside of Deerfoot and his body was ultimately located inside a small culvert just east of the highway.

The Calgary Fire Department used specialized equipment to access the tunnel system where the boy was found.

McLellan said it is believed the boy was still wearing the same clothing he had on when he disappeared. Investigators believe his shoes became separated from him at some point and were later washed outside the culvert where his body was found.

“The terrain is challenging and forms part of a water environment,” said McLellan. “As with any search involving water, environmental conditions can effect what can be observed and when evidence may become visible.”

Throughout the search, police emphasized that Parker’s condition presented unique challenges. Investigators warned the boy could become frightened if approached by strangers.

Police do not believe foul play was involved, but add that the investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.

Discovery concludes nearly two-week search

The discovery concludes one of the city’s largest recent missing-person searches. Hundreds of police officers, emergency responders and volunteers spent days searching on foot and by air, combing through parks, neighbourhoods and bodies of water in north Calgary.

Officers also reviewed tens of thousands of CCTV clips from more than 650 sources and conducted extensive door-to-door canvassing. Residents were repeatedly asked to check backyards, garages, sheds and under decks for signs of the boy.

“In my 35 years with the Calgary Police Service, I’ve never seen such dedicated, extensive, and sustained search efforts,” said McLellan. “Many of the people involved in the search formed a connection to Parker despite never meeting him.”

“Today’s outcome is deeply felt by those who spent countless hours looking for him.”

Search efforts had focused on the communities of Thorncliffe, Cambrian Heights, North Haven, North Haven Upper, Highwood, Highland Park, Greenview, Greenview Industrial Park, Nose Hill Park and surrounding areas.

Earlier this week, police had scaled back active ground searches and shifted toward investigative work, though several volunteers continued to comb search areas and leave provisions.