Search and vigil held for Indigenous teen who has been missing for nearly 2 months

A search party and candlelight vigil was held Sunday for 14-year-old Samuel Bird. CTV Edmonton's Nahreman Issa has that story.

Friends, family and community members gathered at Rossdale Park for a vigil in support of an Indigenous teen who went missing nearly two months ago.

Fourteen-year-old Samuel Bird was last seen on June 1.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“We all have children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and it’s hard to imagine if they weren’t there to pick up the phone today,” said one speaker at the vigil. “That’s what makes it most difficult: not knowing.”

Sacred songs were sung and a smudge ceremony was held.

Police say Bird was last seen leaving his home to visit a friend in the Canora neighbourhood.

During a press conference last weekend, Bird’s mother Alanna said she knew something was wrong when he didn’t respond to her calls or texts.

“Sam always messaged me. He always told me where he was,” said the mother.

Earlier Sunday, a group of volunteers led a search for Bird that went along 170 Street up to around Anthony Henday Drive in hopes of finding something that would help them locate the teen.

Bruce Samsin said he hopes to fill the gaps where the police can’t.

“They don’t really have the resources for all of this,” Samsin told reporters.

Bird is described as 5’8” tall with a slim build. He has brown hair and brown eyes and may have a black-eye and stitches on his cheek and nose.

Police say he is known to frequent West Edmonton Mall and is familiar with the city’s west end and southside.

Police also said they are investigating violent videos and images being sent to the family and that they’re working to determine their authenticity and if they’re connected to the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg