Investigation ongoing for boy who went missing near B.C.-Alberta border in 2025
Published 11:07 am Monday, September 21, 2026
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RCMP say the investigation into Darius MacDougall, who went missing a year ago, is still ongoing.
Alberta RCMP marked the one-year anniversary of his disappearance on Monday with a news release.
“The Alberta RCMP recognizes that Darius’ disappearance continues to weigh heavily on his family and those who know and love him,” the release says.
“The passage of time does not lessen the importance of finding answers, and investigators remain committed to pursuing information that may help bring clarity to what happened to Darius.”
Darius was first reported missing Sept. 21, 2025 after he was last seen walking with his family near the Island Lake Campground, about four kilometres south of Crowsnest Pass. The search area, along the B.C.-Alberta border, was in a remote area.
The active, on-the-ground search continued for 11 days, until Oct. 1, 2025 when Alberta RCMP said they would no longer be working from the location where Darius was last seen.
READ MORE: Boy, 6, still missing; Alberta RCMP, search and rescue no longer on scene
In the final search update on Oct. 1, 2025, Search and Rescue Alberta provincial training manager Adam Kennedy said that if Darius was still somewhere within the search site, “it is our belief that he is no longer alive.” Searchers had consulted with two wilderness survivability physicians.
Alberta RCMP Supt. Rick Jané said at the time of the search that at that stage it would be “very, very remarkable” for a person of any age to still be alive this long.
“There’s some areas of very good camping, but it doesn’t take far to get into the bush, where you’re into quite a bit of wilderness and an adult can get turned around. And this is not to blame Darius or anyone else. This was a tragedy.”
Police said Monday that while the extensive search that followed his disappearance has concluded, investigative work is continuing behind the scenes.
To date, RCMP has received just over 70 tips from the public. Police say every tip was fully investigated, but “unfortunately, none have led to finding Darius.”
Mounties added that investigators remain focused on reviewing information, pursuing viable leads and identifying any information that may help provide answers about Darius’ disappearance.
Alberta RCMP is asking anyone who may have information about Darius’ disappearance or whereabouts to come forward. People can contact Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866.
READ MORE: Day 6: No plans to scale back search for boy, 6, in Alberta
READ MORE: Boy, 5, still missing as search enters day 4 near B.C.-Alberta border