Calgary police now believe that foul play was involved in the two-year-old missing persons case of Robert Stanley Mainland, whose remains were found in May 2024.
During a media availability at the Calgary Police Service (CPS) Headquarters on Aug. 7, Staff Sgt. Mark Rahn of the homicide unit announced that they are now investigating Mainland’s case as a homicide.
Rahn said that due to the state of the remains, which were found last year at an undisclosed location outside of city limits, it took several months to identify them.
“After taking additional steps, we believe that Robert was the victim of foul play,” said Rahn.
Mainland, also known as Bobby or Bubbles, was last seen at the 5300 block of 17 Avenue SE near a 7-Eleven convenience store in January 2023. A month later, he was declared missing.
According to the CPS’s original news release posted in February 2023, Mainland was a “well-known” person in the community of Forest Lawn, which is where he lived for more than 40 years.
Rahn said that the CPS will continue to investigate the cause of Mainland’s death as they hope to give his next of kin an update.
“Robert’s family has been without answers for more than two years,” he said.
“We are exploring all leads and urging anyone with information to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information and detail can help us solve this case.”
Mainland was described as having a slim build, standing at 5’4” tall and weighing 125 pounds. He had grey hair, brown eyes, and wore eyeglasses.
CPS is asking anyone with information related to the death and the preceding disappearance of Mainland to contact them at (403) 266-1234 or to anonymously submit a tip online via Crime Stoppers.
