Edmonton Teen Samuel Bird Presumed Dead, Family Cries for Justice Amidst Indigenous Crisis

Edmonton, CA – The family of 14-year-old Samuel Bird, who disappeared on June 1, has spoken out following an announcement by the Edmonton Police Service that he is now presumed dead, with his death believed to be criminal in nature. Detective Jared Buhler indicated that "the suspect or suspects involved" may have disposed of Bird's body within 150 kilometers of Edmonton shortly after his disappearance. During an emotional press conference, Samuel's mother, Alanna Bird, shared her profound grief, stating, "Samuel's disappearance has shattered our lives in ways that cannot be measured. As Samuel's mother, I have carried this pain every single day since he went missing." She further highlighted a broader societal issue: "No parent should ever have to go through this and yet too many Indigenous families continue to face this same nightmare. We stand here in the shadow of a much larger injustice: the ongoing crisis of our missing and murdered Indigenous children and youth." She asserted that the tragedy is "not just about Samuel, this is about the systems that continue to fail our families and a silence that too often surrounds our pain." Samuel's father, Justin Bird, also spoke, recalling cherished memories. "Samuel and I used to hang out in my living room before he went to bed, snacking, watching movies or TV shows, and now his spot sits empty." He added, "On car rides, certain songs break me down in tears because they remind me of my Sammy." He concluded with a plea for public assistance: "Please, anyone with information, come forward. We need to find him and get Sam justice." The family vows to continue searching by foot, boat, and helicopter.

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Samuel Bird’s Case Went From Missing Person to Homicide — What Happened to Him?

Samuel Bird, 14, was last seen on June 1, 2025, at around 8:30 p.m. and has not been seen or heard from since. What happened to him?