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It’s been nearly two months since 25-year-old Eli Wood went missing from his Kitchener, Ont., home under suspicious circumstances.
Now, Wood’s family is offering a $5,000 reward for information on where Wood is and to bring him home safely.
Cindy Wood Amero, Eli Wood’s mother, has declined media interviews, but in posts on Facebook, urges people to keep searching for Eli.
“Someone must have information. I never imagined I’d have to rely on strangers to help me with my children, but I’m imploring you to please help — don’t give up,” Wood Amero wrote in a Dec. 14 post.
“My child deserves every ounce of love and support possible. Eli is an exceptionally kind and compassionate individual who would never hesitate to help others in this situation.”
Fire deemed arson
Wood has not been seen by friends or family since a fire engulfed his home in Kitchener on Oct. 19. Wood had been living in a unit at the back of a house.
Investigators from the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) had said the fire was arson, that it was targeted and that foul play is suspected in Wood’s disappearance.
In an email to CBC News on Wednesday, Const. Chris Iden with WRPS said the investigation remains ongoing and the police service has no updates for the public at this time.
Earlier this month, when a ground search was organized but then ultimately cancelled due to the weather, the police service said it recognized there is “significant” public interest in this case.
“We want to assure the public that this is a very active and ongoing investigation, and our family liaison officer is in daily contact with Eli’s family to provide updates,” police said in the statement.
“When it is appropriate and responsible to do so, additional details and updates will be released publicly.”
Wood, a student in the master of social work program at Wilfrid Laurier University, is member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Wood is described as being 4-foot-10 and between 85 and 95 pounds, with green eyes and light-coloured hair and eyebrows. He has a flower and seahorse tattoo on the left forearm and a rainbow tattoo on the upper part of his right arm.
