The search for an 11-year-old Calgary boy, who has been missing since July 16, is over.
Calgary police announced at a Wednesday afternoon media briefing that they have found the body of a small boy who they believe to be Parker.
“For nearly two weeks, so many people woke up hoping it would be the day Parker came home. Instead, we are here (to) share news that it is heartbreaking for his family and for everyone who has been carrying that hope,” said Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan.
“Our thoughts are with Parker’s family, loved ones, friends and everyone who has been affected by this tragedy.”
On Tuesday, police said they received information from a member of the public who found evidence “consistent with the clothing Parker was last known to be wearing.”
The searchers who responded discovered the body of a small child.
“It is believed Parker entered into a deep culvert on the west side of Deerfoot Trail, where he travelled into a network of pipes that crossed under Deerfoot Trail,” McLellan added.
“His body was found in a small pipe on the east side of Deerfoot Trail. The Calgary Fire Department required specialized equipment to enter the tunnel system, as the conditions were extremely unsafe.”
“It is believed Parker was wearing all of the clothing he was last seen wearing when he entered the tunnel system,” McLellan added. “However, his shoes likely came off at some point and washed out of the culvert at a later time.”
“We have been (searching) in that creek area,” said CPS Search Manager Sgt. Rich Wall. “The clue that was located by the public pushed us in a direction where we needed – more technical assistance.”
“The system of pipes and tunnels, its like a labyrinth in there. The clue that was located caused us to move further up the creek — there were some other things that we located that forced us into the tunnels,” Wall added.
News of the tragedy comes two days after Calgary police announced that they were scaling back their ground search for Parker and “refocusing” their efforts.
Parker was the subject of a massive 11-day-long search, involving hundreds of police officers, search and rescue experts and community volunteers.
The boy, who is neurodivergent and non-verbal, was last seen in person at his dayhome in the 0 to 100 block of Connaught Drive near Northmount Drive Northwest sometime between 11:08 a.m. and 11:41 a.m. on July 16.
He was then captured on video from a home security camera in the 5000 to 6000 block of Travis Crescent N.E. at around 12:52 p.m. the same day.
Calgary police received special permission from the province to issue an Amber Alert two days after Parker disappeared, even though they continue to maintain there is no evidence he was abducted.
The Amber Alert was allowed to expire on Sunday and the ground search was called off the following day.
“Throughout this investigation, Parker’s family has demonstrated extraordinary strength and courage while enduring every parent’s worst nightmare,” McLellan said.
“Today, we grieve alongside them and share in the profound sadness of this loss.”
Based on reporting by Global News.