Alberta RCMP end ‘extensive and detailed search’ for missing boy

The search for missing six-year-old Albertan Darius Macdougall has concluded. Karsen Marczuk reports.

Alberta RCMP say after 11 days of searching, they have wrapped the formal operation to locate missing Darius Macdougall, who disappeared on a family camping trip in Crowsnest Pass.

Authorities also say the boy, six, is believed to be dead.

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“Upon having completed a comprehensive and thorough search of the 22 square kilometres surrounding the area where Darius was last seen, he has not been located,” said RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney on Wednesday.

“RCMP and Search and Rescue Alberta have collaborated seamlessly to ensure an extensive and detailed search has been conducted for Darius.”

Slaney said it is unlikely that Macdougall has survived.

“At this point, if Darius is still in the search site, it is our belief that he is no longer alive.”

The boy was out with six family members at the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone on Tent Mountain Road on Sept. 21.

He did not return with the group.

Officials say the operation included drones, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, dog team and various ground teams made up of RCMP and search-and-rescue personnel.

“We reached out to everybody to assist us,” Slaney said.

Adam Kennedy, with Alberta Search and Rescue (SAR), said his teams battled thick vegetation, difficult slopes and other terrain during the operation.

“These volunteers amounted to 11,000 search hours on the ground,” he said.

“While this is not the result we had hoped for, SAR members are indeed humbled to have had the opportunity to assist in the search for Darius.”

Despite the tragic news, Slaney said RCMP will continue the search for the boy, but it will only rely on public tips and possible sightings.

SAR will also be ready to return to the scene if possible, but there is no timeline of when that would happen.

“We’ve done absolutely all we can at this point.”