Searchers using favourite song to draw missing boy out of Alberta wilderness
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Winnipeg Free Press subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $4.99 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
CROWSNEST PASS – Searchers are hoping the lilt of a familiar song will draw a six-year-old boy out of the woods after he vanished from a southern Alberta campground Sunday.
Adam Kennedy from Alberta Search and Rescue says crews are employing several tactics in looking for Darius Macdougall, who has autism.
They include avoiding loud noises or bright lights at night.
“The priorities remain pushing further out routes that Darius may have travelled on while continuing to cover areas previously searched,” Kennedy told reporters Thursday.
As the search hit its fifth day, Kennedy said there have been no discussions of scaling back efforts to find the boy.
“We are still working on the assumption that Darius is alive,” Kennedy said.
Ground crews spent the night scouring the area, with support from drones, helicopters and police dogs, he said. Temperatures overnight reached a low of about three degrees.
“There are approximately 120 personnel on the scene from across Alberta and British Columbia continuing the ground search,” he said.
RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney said crews haven’t found anything that could belong to Darius in their search, such as torn clothing or footprints.
Kennedy said one method searchers hope will work involves playing one of the boy’s favourite songs, but the official wouldn’t say what that tune is.
RCMP have said Darius didn’t return from a walk with several young family members to their campsite in the Crowsnest Pass area of the Rocky Mountains. But police have not publicly outlined the circumstances that led Darius to be separated from the group, the age of the family members who were with him at the time or other details about his disappearance.
Slaney said police are continuing interviews that could help lead searchers in the boy’s direction.
Police do not believe foul play is involved.
Police initially said Darius was five due to an error made at the beginning of the search.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2025.
— By Matthew Scace in Calgary and Aaron Sousa in Edmonton.