Calgary man, who disappeared in 2023, was victim of homicide: police

Homicide investigators have taken over a years-old missing-persons case, revealing they found human remains and suspect foul play.

Calgary police are releasing new details regarding the case of a missing man, confirming his death and ruling it a homicide.

Officials said Thursday that human remains found at an undisclosed location outside Calgary in May 2024 have been positively identified as Robert Stanley Mainland.

Mainland, also known as Bobby or Bubbles, was reported missing from Forest Lawn in January 2023.

He was last seen at a 7-Eleven in the 5300 block of 17th Avenue S.E.

“We believe that Robert was the victim of foul play, and his death has been investigated as a homicide,” Staff Sgt. Mark Rahn of the CPS homicide unit said.

“We are continuing to investigate every lead that we have in relation to this, and that will not stop until we find what happened.”

Police wouldn’t give details as to where Mainland was found—or when exactly he’s believed to have died.

The homicide unit did say his death is likely “not connected” to any other investigations.

Rahn told reporters Thursday that Mainland was well known in the neighbourhood he was last seen in.

Rahn promised police are exploring all possible leads and asking the public for help.

“He was very well-liked within (the Forest Lawn) community, and I know the community was shocked with regard to his disappearance,” Rahn said.

“It’s our belief that there are people within the community that may have direct knowledge of his disappearance, and we would ask that they come forward with that information to help us resolve and bring some closure to the family.

“Even the smallest piece of information can be the detail we need to solve the case.”

On social media, Mainland’s sister, Pamela Mainland Johnson, paid tribute to her brother:

“My sisters and I have heavy hearts and we want everyone to know that our loving brother Bobby ‘Bubbles’ has finally been returned to us where he can now rest in peace,” she wrote.

“We want to thank all our family and friends for all the love and support over the last two years during this horrible nightmare. We now have some closure knowing our brother has been found.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers:

• TALK: 1-800-222-8477
• TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
• APP: P3 Tips