As police search for suspects in Samuel Bird’s death, a sacred fire burns in Edmonton

Alanna Bird knew right away something was wrong. Even when her son Samuel was out with friends, the 14-year-old always checked in, always told her where he was staying. He knew she worried.

On the evening of June 1, Samuel had stopped at her apartment in west Edmonton with a friend, on his way to his ex-girlfriend’s place. He told his mother he’d be back later that night, and left saying, “I love you, mom.” She waited up to buzz him into the building, but he never came home.