Following an extensive city-wide search from June 26 to 28, missing person Glen (Archie) Bell, 80, was found deceased in a remote greenspace area within Moose Jaw city limits at approximately 12 p.m. on June 28.

No further details have been provided as to the location of his discovery or the circumstances of his death.

Bell, who responded solely to his middle name, Archie, was reported missing around 11:30 a.m. on June 26. He suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease, was last seen wearing a light-coloured shirt, red plaid jacket, and grey sweatpants, and was accompanied by his small black dachshund, Alfi – these details were on the minds of the hundreds of volunteers who participated in a three-day search for the missing Moose Jaw resident.

The search for Bell involved assistance from the Moose Jaw Search and Rescue, Moose Jaw Fire Department, Moose Jaw RCMP, involved numerous emergency resources, and included hundreds of volunteers from the community who either joined search teams or conducted the search independently

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On June 27, around 130 volunteers met at the south side of the Town ‘N’ Country Mall at 10:30 a.m. to organize a systematic, city-wide search led by the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) and Moose Jaw Search and Rescue.

The group was divided into six teams of 20 individuals apiece who then spread out around the city in search of Bell.

The search also gathered the attention of hundreds of Moose Jaw residents who partook in the effort independently, as observed through social media commentary, word of mouth, and dozens of individuals observed searching almost every possible venue across the city.

As numerous reports poured in, witnesses claimed to have spotted Bell at several random locations across the city on June 26 when he first went missing – although they were unaware of his missing status at the time.

These locations varied from the site of the old Union Hospital near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Fairford Street East, the dog park year the Yara Centre, the area around the Moose Jaw Refinery, the former Bun and Bottle (now HI Kick Gas) on Athabasca Street East, and Bugsy’s at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall – although none of these sightings had been confirmed.

Due to this random nature and the fact that Bell suffered from dementia, the search was conducted on a city-wide basis and no helpful behavioural patterns could be determined.

The MJPS wishes to thank all the volunteers, emergency personnel, local businesses, and local restaurants who provided support, as well as numerous residents who were involved in the search for Bell.

The MJPS is continuing to investigate Bell’s death in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service. No foul play is suspected at this time.

Aaron Walker

Moose Jaw Express