Calgarians mourn Parker, call for changes to alert system at memorials across the city
Posted Jul 31, 2026 11:00 am.
Last Updated Aug 10, 2026 3:16 pm.
Calgarians gathered Thursday at memorials across the city to honour 11-year-old Parker, whose death brought a nearly two-week search to a heartbreaking end.
While attendees shared their grief and support for Parker’s family, many also voiced frustration with the timing of an emergency alert and called for changes to how missing vulnerable children are reported.
An outpouring of love and emotion was evident at Laycock Park, near the culvert and network of underground pipes where Parker was found, as well as at community vigils held throughout the city.
“I feel sadness. My heart is heavy, not only for him but for everyone who searched for him,” said Natasha Courtney, who participated in the search effort.
The city had spent nearly two weeks holding its collective breath after Parker disappeared. Search teams, police agencies and thousands of volunteers devoted countless hours and kilometres to finding the vulnerable child.
There was some brief hope Wednesday when news came that police found new evidence, but that quickly turned to devastation when it was confirmed he was found dead.
“As a community and as a mom, everybody’s heart is breaking tonight,” said one memorial attendee. “I felt it important to come out tonight and hope for change in the community and across Canada and hope this never happens again.”
Many at the memorials pointed to concerns about the emergency alert system. Parker’s Amber Alert was issued roughly 48 hours after he was reported missing, a delay that some believe cost valuable time.
“If the alert would’ve gone out the second the police got that call, people would’ve been able to see him,” said Mikayla Williamson. “They would’ve been out on the street, they would’ve been in their front yards and seen him walking by instead of finding the footage hours later.”
Maddy Dever, chair of the National Autism Network, said the earliest stages of a search are often the most critical.
“The first two days is when the best chance of finding a person who has wandered and been lost,” Dever said.
He hopes Parker’s death can spark a broader conversation about creating standardized protocols for missing vulnerable people across Canada.
“The premiers can say, ‘This is something we can work together on so that it doesn’t matter where the child is across the country, there’s a system in place to help them be found,’ ” Dever said.
WATCH: Memorial held for 11-year-old Parker after his remains were found
Despite the tragedy, many attendees reflected on the extraordinary community response that emerged during the search.
“I would have wanted the same from the community, every person to go out to help look, and Calgary did that. We showed up,” said one mourner.
Courtney said one of the few positives to come from the ordeal was seeing strangers unite around a common goal.
“I see the park now and it’s so empty compared to what it’s been for the last 11 days,” she said. “That just goes to show you that everyone came and stepped up and really wanted to find him.”
As candles flickered and prayers were offered, many focused on ensuring Parker’s family knew they were not alone in their grief.
“For one brief moment, he was our son too,” said another attendee. “I want the family to know they haven’t been alone.”
The Calgary Tower was illuminated in blue Thursday night in Parker’s honour, a visible reminder of a summer when a city came together to search for a boy they had never met.
