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Edmonton police say the remains of missing Indigenous teen Samuel Byrd were found Thursday morning, and a suspect has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The Edmonton Police Service says Samuel’s remains were located in a “rural area outside of Edmonton.” Authorities have not confirmed whether they were found in Carrot Creek, a large wooded and agricultural area about 160 kilometers west of Edmonton, where professional searchers and dead dogs remained. Started searching last week,
“After a long and complex investigation, we are pleased to be able to close this file and hope it will bring some measure of resolution and justice to Samuel’s loved ones who have been searching tirelessly for him,” said primary investigator Det. Jared Buhler with the EPS Homicide Section.
Police Chief Warren Drichell confirmed to CityNews that the boy’s family has been notified.
In a Facebook post Thursday afternoon, Samuel’s mother, Alana Joseph, wrote that her son “has been located.”
“Many thanks to Edmonton police for locating him,” he wrote. “Also, I want to thank the searchers and warriors of Samuel and the dear friends I made along the way in the hope of finding him. I want to thank every single person who donated to help find my boy. We could not have continued this search without everyone’s help.
“I want to say thank you to those who kept me healthy from June 1, 2025, thank you very much to everyone who shared a poster of his disappearance, thank you to everyone who came to our rallies for Samuel Byrd.”
A day earlier, on Wednesday, the police had arrested 38-year-old Brian Farrell. He has been charged with second-degree murder and interference with a dead body in connection with Samuel’s death.
Farrell is also charged with 13 other crimes, including aggravated assault, arson with reckless disregard for human life, arson of property, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, assault on a peace officer with a weapon, menacing and fraud over $5,000.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Edmonton police say they are not looking for other suspects in connection with Samuel’s death.
Samuel was last seen on surveillance video walking on the grounds of Holy Cross School near 151st Street and 104th Avenue on June 1 at 8:30 p.m. He then went to a friend’s house at 150 Street and 106 Avenue in the Canora neighborhood, where he was last seen.
The police had searched that duplex on September 18. Firefighters and police were called to the home on the morning of September 29 due to a suspected arson fire, which officials described as “highly suspicious.”
-With files from Carly Robinson
Correction: Police Chief Warren Drichell incorrectly told CityNews that “numerous” arrests have been made in the case. A suspect has been arrested and charged.