The search for a missing math whiz entered its second week in Edmonton on Sunday with no sign of a 20-year-old student.
Robert Barrington Leigh, who is considered one of the top mathematical minds in North America, hasn't been seen since last Sunday, when he bicycled to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival to meet friends.
Police and friends have since scoured the city and the Saskatchewan River valley without finding any trace of him. The search has also moved to Calgary, Vancouver as well as Toronto, where Leigh studies at the University of Toronto.
Robert Barrington Leigh hasn't been seen since he left his family's home last Sunday.
(Canadian Press)
Chris Barrington Leigh, 32, told the Canadian Press Saturday that his younger brother may be on a self-imposed "math retreat" or hiding.
"There's no reason to give up hope," Chris told CBC News. "It's as likely that Robert is in fact out hiding somewhere as that we are looking for a body somewhere in the river valley.
"This is a clever individual," Chris added. "If he wanted to hide himself he could. Maybe he's too embarrassed to come back because we've made such a fuss."
But Chris said running away would be totally out of character for his brother, who had no apparent reason to leave. "This was a happy man with a spectacular future," he said.
"I'm sort of feeling a little more optimistic after we had good long chats with the detectives. We've come to realize again how open the possibilities are."
Robert's girlfriend, Lucy Zhang, has also joined the search, flying in from Toronto where they are both students. She said her boyfriend is fairly laid back, and rarely gets stressed out.
"He was very happy the last few times I talked to him," Zhang, 22, said, adding she plans to search for him until he's found.
