Calgary police shift to evidence-based search
Calgary police are shifting their search for missing 11-year-old Parker Wells from large-scale ground operations to an evidence-based investigative approach. Despite hundreds of volunteers and officers searching thousands of kilometers, the boy remains missing after two weeks.
Why it matters
The transition in search strategy highlights the difficult reality of long-term missing persons cases and the emotional toll on the local community.
CALGARY – Police say the search for missing 11-year-old Parker Wells is entering a new phase, nearly two weeks after the Calgary boy disappeared, with investigators shifting away from large-scale ground searches and focusing instead on evidence and investigative leads, as concern for his safety grows.
“We will continue to follow up on tips, re-examine evidence and pursue any new leads that emerge,” Calgary Police chief Katie McLellan said. “If new information identifies an area requiring additional search activity, we are prepared and ready to respond.”
Parker, who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, was last seen in the northwest neighbourhood of Thorncliffe on July 16.
Kody Watmough was working in the neighbourhood with a construction crew and believes they may have been among the last people to see Parker before he disappeared.
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