03/19/2026
Darius MacDougall, age 6, disappeared on September 21, 2025 while camping with family near Island Lake, approximately 2.5 miles south of Crowsnest Pass in the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone.
He was last seen wearing a blue-grey hoodie and sweatpants.
Darius is approximately 4'0", with short brown hair, and has a medical and developmental condition that may prevent him from responding to searchers.
Because his disappearance did not meet the legal criteria for an AMBER Alert, a Child Search Alert was issued through MCSC (Missing Children Society of Canada) in partnership with RCMP.
On September 21, 2025, the family was packing up camp after a weekend gathering that included multiple children. Darius, his cousin, and another child crossed a shallow creek to play on the small island immediately beside the campsite, an area they knew well from previous visits. Around 20 minutes later, the two children returned without Darius. They reported he was missing. Family members searched in opposite directions while Darius’ grandmother called 911. RCMP and Search & Rescue began mobilizing within minutes.
Between September 21, 2025 and October 1, 2025, over 11,000 volunteer hours were spent searching including:
• 400+ professional & volunteer search and rescue members (AB, BC, SK)
• RCMP helicopters
• Drones
• K9 units
• Underwater search teams
• ATVs & mountain search teams
• Dense, rugged alpine terrain spanning 22 square km
Search teams used specialized strategies because Darius is autistic and may not react to verbal calling. His favourite music was broadcast during some searches in hopes he would respond. Despite the extensive resources, no trace of Darius or his belongings was found.
After 11 days with no findings, the physical search was formally suspended on October 1, 2025. RCMP stated that the investigation remains active, and there is no credible evidence at this time to confirm abduction. The family continues to maintain their own search efforts.
His step-grandfather has remained at the campsite for weeks, refusing to leave the last place he saw Darius. The family strongly believes more can be done, and have publicly expressed concerns over the AMBER Alert criteria in cases where a child goes missing near a highway, provincial border, or large wilderness area. They continue to ask Albertans to keep searching and keep sharing.
At this time, RCMP has confirmed, there is no evidence of foul play or abduction.
