In the spring of 1987, a 16-year-old Indigenous teenager named Dale Eldridge vanished without a trace from the town of Peace River, Alberta. On the evening of April 7th, Dale attended a party with friends. Later in the evening, he and some companions were seen heading towards a nearby river. This would be the last time anyone reported seeing the young man.
What began as a night of socializing with friends ended in a mystery that has now spanned decades, leaving a family without answers and a community with a lingering sense of loss.
At the time of his disappearance, Dale was described as being 6'1' and weighing approximately 154 pounds, with a slender build. He had long black hair, brown eyes, and a mustache. Dale had several distinct scars that could have aided in his identification, including a seven-inch jagged scar on his left shin, another scar on his left leg, one on his upper lip, and another under his nose. On the night he was last seen, he was wearing a black jacket, blue denim pants, and white North Star brand running shoes. These details paint a picture of the young man who seemingly vanished into the night air along the riverbank.
Despite the passage of time, the case of Dale Eldridge remains an open and active investigation. He is classified as an endangered missing person. Following his disappearance, extensive air and water searches of the river were conducted, but they yielded no clues as to his whereabouts. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are still unclear, with the last known event being his walk towards the river with friends after a social gathering. The lack of any new information or evidence has made it impossible for his family and the authorities to find closure. The overview of this case is one of a young life interrupted, a family left in limbo, and a community still hoping that one day, answers will be found regarding what happened to Dale Eldridge on that April night so many years ago.Last Seen: Apr 7, 1987
