5-year-old still missing in Crowsnest Pass

[Locke]

Thats just so rough. I can't imagine it. You just dont know what happened to him. There is no closure.

[troutman]

Pass Herald: Oct. 1, 2025 — Crowsnest Pass search update by Nicholas L. M. Allen

Alberta RCMP and Search and Rescue Alberta say the on-scene search has concluded after 11 days. The investigation remains open, and any new, specific information will trigger a redeployment. Superintendent Rick Janẽ and Cpl. Gina Slaney spoke on behalf of RCMP and Adam Kennedy spoke on behalf of Alberta Search and Rescue.

Scope of the search
• People: More than 400 trained SAR volunteers from 50 teams in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan, plus 60 RCMP Tactical Support Group officers
• Time: About 11,000 hours of ground effort
• Area: Roughly 22 km² thoroughly covered, many parts more than once
• Reach: Routes extended to 12 km from the last known point, with 5,300 km walked or driven by ground teams inside the footprint
• Assets: Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, drones, dogs, horses, swift-water and underwater teams, boat-mounted sonar, off-highway vehicles

Status today
• RCMP say there is no indication of foul play
• If the child is still within the search area, police believe he would no longer be alive
• The search area has reopened to the public
• The file stays active, interviews and tips continue; victim family liaison officers will keep the family updated

[Firebot]

Really tragic end and extremely unfortunate.

I was once lost in the deep woods at the exact same age, in very similar circumstances playing with other kids at our camp area until suddenly I was completely lost with no idea where we were. I was however lost together with 2 cousins - they were around 7-8 years old. I remember it pretty vividly walking non stop for hours and remember losing a shoe in a marsh (for some reason my dumbass cousins thought that going through a marsh was a good idea and I nearly got completely stuck in it).

We were eventually found by a search party around 5-6 hours after we were lost after we luckily backtracked out of the marsh area which led us back somewhat closer to camp. We strayed so far off, we circled around the camp entirely several km because again my dumbass cousins thought walking non stop was the best course, and we never backtracked until the marsh. Searching towards the area we initially went (if family members asked other kids) would have lead to nothing in our case. Obviously who knows what what would have occurred had we decided to push through the marsh.

Adam Kennedy, provincial training manager with Search and Rescue Alberta, said the current search radius extends three kilometres from the family’s campground and is being pushed to 6.6 kilometres. “Overnight, ground searches continued with helicopter support, search dogs, and drones. Today, 68 trained searchers from Alberta and B.C. are on site, along with RCMP resources,” Kennedy said.

I feel the initial search area was way too small, considering how in very similar circumstances, what dumb kids lost like us can do and did. Kids don't think to stay put or have working survival instincts, or even think to yell out honestly. That never came to my mind as a 6 year old nor my cousins.

Not blaming the parents here, kids will be kids, and all it takes is a few minutes of inattention. By the time the families realized he was gone, he could have easily been several km away from camp already. In our case, somehow despite having around 40-50 people at a family get together, 3 kids somehow completely disappeared. It is never safe to look away.

Tragically, even a few minutes of inattention thinking everything is ok as your kid is with other kids and is safe can cost a life. If you are in such a spot, even in conditions you think is comfortable or safe, you really are not. Don't be that family that finds itself in the news for such a tragic situation.

[indes]

Originally Posted by Firebot

Really tragic end and extremely unfortunate.

I was once lost in the deep woods at the exact same age, in very similar circumstances playing with other kids at our camp area until suddenly I was completely lost with no idea where we were. I was however lost together with 2 cousins - they were around 7-8 years old. I remember it pretty vividly walking non stop for hours and remember losing a shoe in a marsh (for some reason my dumbass cousins thought that going through a marsh was a good idea and I nearly got completely stuck in it).

We were eventually found by a search party around 5-6 hours after we were lost after we luckily backtracked out of the marsh area which led us back somewhat closer to camp. We strayed so far off, we circled around the camp entirely several km because again my dumbass cousins thought walking non stop was the best course, and we never backtracked until the marsh. Searching towards the area we initially went (if family members asked other kids) would have lead to nothing in our case. Obviously who knows what what would have occurred had we decided to push through the marsh.



I feel the initial search area was way too small, considering how in very similar circumstances, what dumb kids lost like us can do and did. Kids don't think to stay put or have working survival instincts, or even think to yell out honestly. That never came to my mind as a 6 year old nor my cousins.

Not blaming the parents here, kids will be kids, and all it takes is a few minutes of inattention. By the time the families realized he was gone, he could have easily been several km away from camp already. In our case, somehow despite having around 40-50 people at a family get together, 3 kids somehow completely disappeared. It is never safe to look away.

Tragically, even a few minutes of inattention thinking everything is ok as your kid is with other kids and is safe can cost a life. If you are in such a spot, even in conditions you think is comfortable or safe, you really are not. Don't be that family that finds itself in the news for such a tragic situation.

What an absolute tragedy.

Always designate someone to watch the kids if you're not in a "safe space" like inside a house, someone's yard or a play area. If no one is designated it's almost like the bystander effect where everyone assumes someone else is watching the kids. Next time you're in a large group watch how many times people are checking in on their kids...it's not a lot.

My wife and I are very vigilant as we know someone who lost a 1.5yr old to drowning on a beach surrounded by friends and family. Watching our kids you can see how little attention gets paid to kids running around - more often than not one of us ends up "babysitting" all the kids.

[Mr.Coffee]

Could you imagine just losing your 5 year old?

The. Worst. Feel for those parents.

[Royle9]

As the father of a 5 and 6 year old, my stomach literally aches daily when this news pops up.

Just absolutely horrible.

[d00little]

Just thinking how bad the parents must feel, then I start to imagine being the 5 year old lost in the winds, crying for help, alone at night, freezing cold, heart breaking.

It's quite shocking they weren't even able to find the body given the circumstances. Known last location, not much time had passed before reported missing, limited distance that could be travelled being a 5 year old, huge amount of trained people searching. I used to watch a show like Mantracker and thought it wouldn't be too hard do locate somebody in the woods for somebody who knows what they are doing. Just giving a tracking dog the scent of the child's clothes and you would think it would lead to something assuming there was no rain or snowfall.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by d00little

Just thinking how bad the parents must feel, then I start to imagine being the 5 year old lost in the winds, crying for help, alone at night, freezing cold, heart breaking.

It's quite shocking they weren't even able to find the body given the circumstances. Known last location, not much time had passed before reported missing, limited distance that could be travelled being a 5 year old, huge amount of trained people searching. I used to watch a show like Mantracker and thought it wouldn't be too hard do locate somebody in the woods for somebody who knows what they are doing. Just giving a tracking dog the scent of the child's clothes and you would think it would lead to something assuming there was no rain or snowfall.

I've been in situations where I've had to clamber through thick brush. It can be impenetrable. It can be full of deadfall that you kinda walk above, which means below there are holes and gaps all over he could be in. That type of environment also tends to eat soundwaves, so he may have been huddled somewhere and never heard the calls.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Even if he did hear the calls he was autistic and they said would be unlikely to respond.