It has been over six weeks since Eli Wood, a 25-year-old resident of Kitchener, disappeared from his home under suspicious circumstances.
In response to his disappearance, community members have organized a ground search scheduled for this Sunday to gather potential leads.
Wood vanished after a fire consumed his residence in Kitchener on October 19. Authorities from the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) have confirmed that the fire was deliberately set and targeted, indicating potential foul play in connection to Wood’s disappearance.
Wood, a student enrolled in the master of social work program at Wilfrid Laurier University, is described as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and stands at four feet and ten inches tall.
Although Meghan Mathieson does not know Wood personally, she became involved in a Facebook group dedicated to discussing his case. She suggested the idea of organizing a search party, which garnered significant interest from other group members.
Expressing empathy for Wood’s mother, Mathieson emphasized the need to provide hope and support to the family during this challenging time.
While the police have not provided any new updates, they reassured that the investigation is ongoing. The authorities emphasized the importance of limiting information shared with the public to maintain the integrity of the case.
Wood’s family, in a statement shared by the police, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and urged people to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media.
Mathieson highlighted the impact of Wood’s disappearance, stressing the lack of answers in the case and the emotional toll it has taken on the community.
Wood’s mother, Cindy Wood Amero, has been actively raising awareness on social media platforms about her son’s disappearance, underscoring the uncertainty and anguish her family is experiencing.
The upcoming ground search, organized by volunteers, is set to take place on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the parking lot of 326 Riverbend Dr. in Kitchener.
Participants are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring essential items such as a walking safety stick, safety vest, and warm clothing.
The search team comprises individuals with diverse skills, including Diana Storey and her husband Trevor, who possess medical expertise and are prepared to offer immediate assistance if needed during the search.
Storey mentioned the potential involvement of search and rescue dogs in future searches, highlighting the importance of continued efforts to locate Wood and provide any valuable leads to the authorities.