EARLY LIFE
Eli Wood grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada. Upon graduating from Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School, he moved to New Brunswick to pursue his undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University. Alongside his studies, Eli worked as a teaching assistant (TA) at the school, and he graduated in 2024.
Fast-forward a year and the 25-year-old was enrolled in the Social Work Program at Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener, Ontario. While attending the post-secondary institution, he lived with his service dog in a studio apartment at 25 Major Street. The unit was located at the rear of the residence.
DISAPPEARANCE
Eli was last seen on October 18, 2025. That night, he spoke with several members of his family, and he was last accounted for at his apartment at around 11:30 PM that night.
In the early hours of the following day, flames erupted in the 25-year-old’s residence, with emergency crews called around 6:00 AM. Once the blaze was extinguished, firefighters conducted an extensive search of the residence, but found no sign of Eli. Tragically, his service dog was located deceased in the apartment, and all of his personal belongings had been destroyed in the fire.
INVESTIGATION
Following the fire, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal was called in to investigate. They deemed it suspicious and likely the result of arson. It should be noted that authorities don’t believe Eli started the blaze.
Very little has been released regarding the investigation into the fire and the 25-year-old’s disappearance, with the Major Crimes Unit of the Waterloo Regional Police Service citing its ongoing nature. However, they have revealed some details, including their belief that foul play is likely involved. They’ve also shared that interviews were conducted with the other residents of 25 Major Street, as well as the property owner, but the results of those conversations haven’t been publicly released.
About a month after Eli went missing, a vigil was held in Digby, Nova Scotia, which was attended by his family, friends and local community members. A GoFundMe campaign was also created by the alumni of Mount Allison University, with the aim of raising funds to allow his parents to travel between Nova Scotia and Ontario as they search for their son.
Despite how little has been shared regarding the investigation, Eli’s friends and family have been doing their part to keep the case in the public eye. His mother, Cindy Wood Amero, regularly posts pleas for information on Facebook, while Michelle Roy-Brock, a longtime friend, made bumper stickers with the 25-year-old’s face on them. On top of this, civilian organizations have made efforts to launch independent searches in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
DETAILS
Eli “Geeky” Wood went missing from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on October 19, 2025. He was 25 years old. At the time of his disappearance, he stood at 4’10” and weighed between 85 and 95 pounds. He has green eyes, and white is intermixed into his brown hair, along with his eyebrows and eyelashes.
Along with a mole on the lower left side of his neck, Eli has two tattoos: a rainbow on the upper portion of his right arm and a flower and seahorse on his left forearm.
As aforementioned, his beloved service dog was found deceased in his apartment after the fire was extinguished.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION
Eli’s family is currently offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service at (519) 570-9777 ex. 8191. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit their tips via Crime Stoppers at +1 (800) 222-8477.
Image Credit: CityNews Kitchener/The Record
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