Foul play suspected in Eli Wood’s disappearance

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Police believe foul play involved in disappearance

Search for missing person in Kitchener arson investigation

Kitchener resident still missing, foul play suspected

Investigators now believe foul play was involved in a Kitchener resident’s disappearance.

“Any missing person is always serious,” said Const. Chris Iden of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. “Because of this one and everything surrounding it, we are treating this as a very serious investigation.”

Eli Wood lived in the rear unit of a home on Major Street, which went up in flames on the morning of Oct. 19.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. The home has been fenced off and restoration equipment surrounds the property.

“We are dealing with the arson portion of the investigation as well as the missing person. We still work in collaboration with the Ontario Fire Marshal as well as Kitchener Fire,” said Iden.

On Oct. 22, the Waterloo Regional Police Service announced the Major Street fire was an arson investigation. They also asked the public for help finding Wood, who was only described as a missing person.

“Investigators believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance and that this is a targeted incident,” police told CTV News at the time.

Wood was described as approximately 4’10” and weighing between 85 lbs. and 95 lbs. Wood has green eyes, partially white eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as white hair. Wood also has left forearm tattoos of a flower and seahorse tattoo and an upper right arm of a rainbow.

Wood was a student at Wilfrid Laurier University in the social work program.

On Tuesday, police confirmed foul play was suspected but did not explain why.

“Investigators have obtained enough information and enough grounds to determine that there was foul play involved in the disappearance of Eli,” said Iden. “Just to maintain the respect and the integrity of the investigation, we’re unable to really explain or disclose any of that information.”

There’s been no word from investigators on any suspects in the arson or the disappearance.

Police said this is still an active investigation by the Major Crimes Unit.

“You’re following the information to suggest that something may have happened,” explained Iden. “Once that is determined and the suspicion turns into what we call grounds, then we can say, okay, we now believe that foul play has taken place.”

In the meantime, family and friends of Eli are taking to social media, pleading for more information and answers.

A family member of Eli wrote in part, “Over 360 hours my child has been missing,” pleading for people to share the post online.

One person commented underneath the post, “I continue to pray for answers for you and your family.”

Another said, “Praying with everything this poor soul is found safe and found.”

Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.

“There is still somebody who is part of a family, part of the community that is missing at this time,” said Iden. “So, we want to ensure that they are safe, that they’re located and that, if any resources can be provided, that it’s done.”

Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.