Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
A community ground search planned for Sunday in Kitchener for missing 25-year-old Eli Wood has been cancelled.
It’s been more than six weeks since Wood went missing from his Kitchener home under suspicious circumstances.
Wood has not been seen by friends or family since a fire engulfed his home in Kitchener on Oct. 19. Wood had been living in a unit at the back of a house.
Investigators from the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) had said the fire was arson, that it was targeted and that foul play is suspected in Wood’s disappearance.
Search cancellation ‘based primarily on safety’
In a press release posted on social media Friday, organizers of the ground search explained the cancellation was due to safety issues.
“This decision was based primarily on safety of searchers and the unlikelihood of being able to see anything due to the extent of the snowfall. Most areas are reduced to single file paths, some of which are very slippery. The snowfall has made tree deadfall invisible in areas that could have been searched in a much more safe manner prior to the current accumulation,” the release reads in part.
“We have [spoken] with WRPS, who has advised us of their K9 search resources and their thought that a dog search is not beneficial at this time. Some of our other professional K9 search team allies concur a K9 Search under current conditions would be unlikely to be successful and hazardous to searchers partaking in the effort. WRPS passed on their appreciation and respect for those willing to step up [and] search for Eli.”
Organizers are in touch with WRPS
The statement emphasized ongoing community support regardless of the need to cancel.
“The organizers are not turning their back on Eli, his family or friends,” the statement said, adding that there may be a candlelight vigil planned in the future.
“We also plan to have donation boxes available to support Eli’s family with their needs.”
Organizers also said they are in contact with investigators from WRPS.
“We will continue to communicate with WRPS should we not receive word that Eli has been found,” the release says.
“Once weather and search conditions improve, likely spring, we pledge to support the search for Eli in an organizational and resource capacity at a higher level given increased preparation time.”
‘Kindness has brought us strength’: Wood’s family
In a statement released on Thursday, WRPS addressed the community’s growing interest in Wood’s case.
“We recognize the significant public interest in this case. However, to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are limited in the information we can share at this time. We want to assure the public that this is a very active and ongoing investigation, and our family liaison officer is in daily contact with Eli’s family to provide updates,” the press release said.
“When it is appropriate and responsible to do so, additional details and updates will be released publicly.”
WRPS also released a statement from Wood’s family on their behalf.
“The time since Eli’s disappearance has been overwhelming for us, but your kindness has brought us strength,” the family statement said, urging people to avoid posting, sharing or relying or unverified information on social media.
“Inaccurate information and speculation can cause confusion and stress for our family and can interfere with the ongoing police investigation.”
The statement from Wood’s family also expressed gratitude for the police.
“We are in frequent contact with the police and want to express our deepest gratitude to all investigative teams who have been working tirelessly since Eli was reported missing,” said the statement.
“We ask that you trust the updates provided directly through police and if you have any information to please share with investigators and not on social media.”
