One year has passed since Eli Wood disappeared from his residence in Kitchener, Ontario. Wood vanished on October 19, 2025, following a fire incident at his Kitchener home and has not been sighted since. Authorities from the Waterloo Regional Police are urging the public to provide any information they may have, suspecting foul play in connection with Wood’s disappearance, which was linked to an arson attack.
Cindy Wood, Eli’s mother, expressed her plea for cooperation in a WRPS news release, stating, “I think someone does know something, and I think it is time that they spoke up. None of us are going to give up. We just want Eli to come home.” At the time of his disappearance, Wood, aged 25, resided in the rear unit of a dwelling on Major Street, which was engulfed in flames when emergency services arrived, resulting in significant property damage.
Despite extensive investigations, Wood has not been located since the fire. Described as four feet ten inches tall and a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, efforts to find him persist. WRPS Chief Mark Crowell emphasized the ongoing commitment to uncover the truth for Wood’s family and associates, urging anyone with relevant information to approach investigators without hesitation.
In a shared video by WRPS, Cindy Amero Wood highlighted the pivotal role Eli played in their family, mentioning how he provided support to his younger siblings through video calls and homework assistance. Wood was pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Wilfrid Laurier University before his disappearance.
Following Wood’s vanishing, his family announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to his whereabouts. Community searches were conducted across the Waterloo region, and a province-wide bumper sticker initiative was launched to raise awareness about Wood’s case. A vigil held in September in Waterloo Town Square aimed to show solidarity with Wood and his family, organized by Please Bring Me Home, a group dedicated to investigating missing persons cases nationwide.
Brett Robinson, the organization’s director of case analysis, highlighted the potential of vigils in generating new leads from the public, emphasizing that sometimes individuals possess valuable information without realizing its significance. Those with information are urged to contact the WRPS’ Major Crime Unit at 519-570-9777 ext. 8191 for assistance.